The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected two University professors, Kimberly Mowry and Thomas Roberts, as fellows for the class of 2024.
The AAAS is one of the biggest multidisciplinary scientific societies — with members over 91 countries — and the publisher of the scientific publication, Science. Since 1874, they have overseen the election of fellows, who are recognized for their “extraordinary achievements” that have contributed to scientific pursuit and research.
This recognition was bestowed on 471 scholars across 24 scientific disciplines, who will be honored at a forum in Washington, D.C. on June 7.
Kimberly Mowry, professor of biomedicine
Kimberly Mowry, a professor of biomedicine, studies RNA using model systems with a focus on localization, formalization and developmental polarity. Currently on sabbatical, she served as chair of the Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry for 15 years.
Recently, Mowry has been studying the movement of RNA in cargoes, which are a new type of membraneless organelle, and has been “trying to understand how these cargoes are assembled and disassembled,” she said.
“It’s an incredible honor because you’re nominated by your peers and it’s an election, so people have to vote for you,” Mowry said, adding that she did not know she was nominated until the fellows were announced. “The people that I’m joining are a very impressive group, and I’m really privileged to be part of it.”
Mowry did not always envision herself in academia.
“When I graduated from high school, I actually did not intend to go to college,” she said. “But I became very bored just working at the local mall.”
This led her to start taking courses at her local community college, where she “really fell in love with chemistry and biology.” Afterward, she transferred to UC Berkeley and earned a degree in biochemistry.
She began “working in a lab there and just fell in love with science,” she said.
Jessica Otis, a senior staff scientist in Mowry’s lab, said that Mowry’s election to AAAS is “long overdue and well deserved.”
“She has always really prioritized teaching and mentoring students,” Otis added. “I can’t think of a better person to get the honor.”
Eliana Alweis ’26, an undergraduate in Mowry’s lab, added to this sentiment.
“She makes you feel valued for the work you do,” Alweis said. Despite not being her concentration advisor, Mowry has helped Alweis through course selection, she added.
Otis emphasized that Mowry is a “great role model for women and mothers in science (and) first-gen college students,” adding that her contributions work to “implement change so that the next generation … benefits from her wisdom.”
Thomas Roberts, professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology
Thomas Roberts, an senior associate dean for the Program in Biology, explores the biomechanics of movement and muscle function. His research encompasses a wide variety of topics, including the connections between muscle mechanics and principles of locomotion, he explained. He recently published work surrounding intramuscular fluid and its impact on muscle stiffness.
“I was always interested in nature and animals,” he shared. “At the same time, I’ve always liked tinkering with things and building things.”
Roberts said the field of biomechanics allows him to engage with both these interests.
He shared that it is “very exciting” to be elected as an AAAS fellow, especially during a time where “science is under siege.”
“It’s really nice to get recognized by a society that’s leading the charge or advocating for science in the U.S.,” he added.
Emily McParland GS, a second year PhD student in Roberts’s lab, reflected that “he truly is a leader in the field,” emphasizing his commitment to innovation and his work in a wide range of fields.
For Roberts, hearing congratulations from friends and colleagues has been the most rewarding part of his election. “Continuing to support the folks that I’ve trained, who come through my lab as grad students or post docs or research assistants,” has been crucial to him in tandem with his research goals.
“It’s really fun to see them out running in their own labs and producing their own trainees,” he said.
Samantha Falcone GS, a first-year PhD student in Roberts’s lab, has experienced this mentorship first-hand. When Falcone reapplied to graduate school, Roberts acted as her mentor, supporting her through the process and helping her consider her options, she told The Herald
“My experience with him has been really incredible,” she said. “Tom is really good at getting excited about and interested in what you’re excited about and interested in. … I feel like I couldn’t have been matched with a better mentor.”
Erika Tavares, the lab manager of Thomas’s lab, added that outside of the laboratory work, Thomas aims to promote lab culture through activities and celebrating each other’s accomplishments.
As a fellow, Roberts looks forward to his continued involvement with AAAS and future mentorship opportunities through various “activities, actions and activism that (AAAS is) doing to support science.”
Roberts, who holds an administrative role, emphasized that his current efforts include supporting the University’s biology faculty “in continuing to create research.”
“It’s challenging at a time like this, but it’s also particularly rewarding to try to help people navigate a really challenging time in science,” he added.
