The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) elected 505 members as 2022 Fellows, including a number of scientists who have been supported by NASA. Members are selected for distinguished work to advance science or the application of science in service to society. The NASA Astrobiology Program congratulates all of the 2022 AAAS Fellows, including those whose work has contributed to the advancement of astrobiology science.

Nicolle E.B. Zellner of Albion College has worked on a number of projects supported by the NASA Astrobiology Program. Her work also includes outreach efforts, including Life…Out of This World? A New Collection of Astrobiology Lesson Plans, to help educate students about astrobiology and inspire the next generation of scientists. Zellner was selected for “distinguished contributions to lunar impact science, planetary surface science, and astrobiology, for communication of science to the public and for contributions to the advancement of women in science.” Click here for a press release from Albion College.

Loren Dean Williams of the Georgia Institute of Technology has worked on a number of projects supported by the NASA Astrobiology Program, and is a Co-Lead for the NASA Research Coordination Network (RCN) Prebiotic Chemistry and Early Earth Environments (PCE3). Williams was honored for his “distinguished contributions to the fields of biophysics and the origins and evolution of life on Earth, particularly for advancing our understanding of the evolution of the translation system.” Click here for a press release from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Steven L. D’Hondt of the University of Rhode Island was a project investigator for the former NASA Astrobiology Institute Subsurface Biosphere Team. D’Hondt has been recognized for his long-time work in studying the subsurface biosphere of the Earth. Click here for a press release from the University of Rhode Island.

Doug Erwin of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History was part of the former NASA Astrobiology Institute Advent of Complex Life Team. Erwin was selected as a Lifetime Fellow of the AAAS for his “distinguished contributions in paleobiology of Paleozoic and Ediacaran organisms and of extinction and radiation events in the fossil record, particularly the Permo-Triassic extinction and the radiation of Cambrian organisms.” Click here for a press release from the Smithsonian Institution.

Ellen R. Stofan of the Smithsonian Institution formerly served as the NASA Chief Scientist. She was a principal advisor to the NASA Administrator concerning science programs and science-related planning. Stofan served as an associate member of the Cassini Mission to Saturn and was a co-investigator on the MARSIS instrument for the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission. Stofan was honored for “distinguished contributions to the field of planetary science, particularly of Titan, and for significant community service and leadership.” Click here for a press release from the Smithsonian Institution.

The full list of 2022 Fellows of the AAAS is available at:
https://www.aaas.org/page/2022-fellows-0