Evangelyn Alocilja named AAAS Fellow for impactful research
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EmailMichigan State University researchers Evangelyn Alocilja, Andrea Case, James Fairweather, William Lovis and Shin-Han Shiu were recognized Jan. 31 as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS.
Jan. 31, 2023
MSU researchers honored for achievements in science and society
Michigan State University researchers Evangelyn Alocilja, Andrea Case, James Fairweather, William Lovis and Shin-Han Shiu were recognized Jan. 31 as fellows of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, or AAAS.
Founded in 1848, AAAS which is pronounced triple-A-S is the world's largest general scientific society. In 1874, the society started recognizing distinguished individuals as fellows for their contributions to science and society.
MSU's 2022 fellows represent five colleges and have been selected for advancing a breadth of research in areas that include education, plant biology, evolutionary ecology, anthropological archaeology and low-cost sensing technology for health care and food safety.
I am proud to join AAAS in recognizing MSU's researchers not only for their excellence in the classroom and laboratory, but also in shaping the way we teach and perform science to make it more accessible, impactful and inclusive, said Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. I congratulate our new fellows for this recognition and extend my appreciation for their embodiment of our shared values as they prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators.
In total, this year's cohort includes more than 500 trailblazers worldwide in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. The related acronym STEMM, where the additional M stands for medicine, also appears in this year's honors.
Past honorees include actor and science communicator Alan Alda, Nobel laureate and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and engineer Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel to space.
Becoming a AAAS Fellow is among the most distinct honors within the scientific community, the society said. The AAAS Council elects its fellows deliberately and carefully to preserve the honor attached to this recognition.
Read on to learn more about MSU's 2022 AAAS Fellows.
Evangelyn Alocilja
Professor, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Alocilja was selected as a fellow in engineering for outstanding contributions in biosystems engineering, biosensors, materials, microtech and low-cost, easy-to-read infectious disease tests. She also is honored for teaching, outstanding mentoring, advancing diversity and inclusion and creating and supporting international programs in science and engineering.
Being elected as a AAAS Fellow is a tremendous honor and a humbling experience for me, Alocilja said. I thank God for this unexpected recognition. I also thank my students for their hard work, my colleagues for their encouragement and my family for their support. The AAAS mission of advancing science, serving society encapsulates my passion and will continue to guide my future endeavors.
Alocilja joins more than 175 current and past Spartans who have been honored as fellows. Read more at: MSU AAAS Fellows.
Story written by Matt Davenport and May Napora, courtesy of MSUToday.
