Three faculty members from Harvard Medical School have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). They are among the nearly 500 scientists, engineers, and innovators to be named 2025 fellows.
Fellowship in the AAAS — one of the world’s largest general scientific societies and publisher of the Science family of journals — recognizes scientifically and socially distinguished achievements throughout researchers’ careers.
“This year’s AAAS fellows have demonstrated research excellence, made notable contributions to advance science, and delivered important services to their communities,” said Sudip Parikh, chief executive officer of AAAS and executive publisher of the Science family of journals.
“These fellows and their accomplishments validate the importance of investing in science and technology for the benefit of all,” Parikh continued.
The three new fellows from HMS are:
- Kathleen Burns, HMS professor of pathology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recognized for pioneering contributions to understanding the role that mobile genetic elements play in human disease, most notably cancer.
- Sandeep Robert Datta, professor of neurobiology in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS, recognized for distinguished contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly for work revealing how sensory, motor, and neuromodulatory systems influence natural behavior.
- Frank Slack, the HMS Shields Warren-Mallinckrodt Professor of Medical Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, recognized for pioneering work on microRNAs and their critical roles in cancer, aging, and disease.
A tradition dating back to 1874, election as an AAAS fellow is a lifetime honor, and all fellows are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.
