4 UC Riverside researchers receive national recognition

Four researchers at the University of California, Riverside have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Including this year's fellows, the total number of UC Riverside faculty members who have been recognized with AAAS Fellow distinction is 194.

Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. This year AAAS gave this honor to 539 of its members "because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications."

The 2011 AAAS Fellows at UCR are:

Xuemei Chen, a professor of plant cell and molecular biology: "For pioneering discoveries in the field of plant biology in small RNA metabolism and plant development."

Rajiv Gupta, a professor of computer science and engineering: "For contributions to computer architecture and optimizing compilers."

Yingbo Hua, a professor of electrical engineering: "For distinguished contributions to research, teaching and services in signal processing and its applications."

Yinsheng Wang, a professor of chemistry: "For distinguished contributions to the field of bioanalytical chemistry, particularly in the development of novel analytical methods enabling understanding of the biological consequences of DNA damage."

Five UCR alumni were named AAAS Fellows this year: Brian M. Barnes ('77 B.S., Biology) of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Bradford Hawkins ('84 Ph.D., Entomology) of UC Irvine; Kevin Plaxco ('86 B.S., Biochemistry and Chemistry) of UC Santa Barbara; David C. Geary ('84 M.A., '86 Ph.D., Psychology) of the University of Missouri-Columbia; and Gerald E. Edwards ('69 Ph.D., Plant Science) of Washington State University.

New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin on Feb. 18 during the annual meeting of the AAAS in Vancouver, Canada.

Provided by University of California - Riverside