Advancing Science and Serving Society
Election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is one of the most distinct honors in the scientific community. Since 1874, this lifetime recognition has been awarded to thousands of scientists, engineers, and innovators worldwide for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.
The UC Santa Barbara Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences (MLPS) is proud to celebrate our 2025 class of honorees alongside the icons of our history who have helped shape the global scientific landscape.
2025 AAAS Fellows
Shelly Gable
Susan and Bruce Worster Dean of Science
Division of Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
For distinguished contributions to the field of close relationships, particularly for integrating motivation and positive emotion into the study of our most central relationships.
Javier Read de Alaniz
Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
For creative contributions to the design and synthesis of stimuli-responsive organic materials, including the development of a novel class of negative photochromic switches.
Kelly Caylor
Professor, Department of Geography & Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
For distinguished contributions to ecohydrology focusing on both natural and managed landscapes in semi-arid and arid climates with implications for food security, conservation and other important environmental issues.
David Morrison
Professor, Departments of Mathematics and Physics
For distinguished contributions to algebraic geometry and string theory, both in deepening the mathematical understanding of mirror symmetry and in luminous expository works illuminating string theory for mathematicians.
A Legacy of Excellence: Past AAAS Fellows
- 2023: M. Scott Shell, Chemistry
- 2022: Richard Mayer, Psychological & Brain Sciences
- 2021: Matthew Fisher, Physics
- 2021: Mary Hegarty, Psychological & Brain Sciences
- 2020: Armand Kuris, EEMB
- 2020: Barbara Wanchisen (Emeritus), Psychological & Brain Sciences
- 2020: Soojin Yi, Biological Sciences
- 2019: Cheryl Briggs, Biological Sciences
- 2019: Alan Murray, Geography
- 2018: Craig Carlson (Emeritus), Biological Sciences
- 2018: Trevor Hayton, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2018: Bruce Luyendyk (Emeritus), Earth Science
- 2018: Ram Seshadri, Chemistry / Materials
- 2016: Divyakant Agrawal, Computer Science
- 2013: Craig Montell, MCDB
- 2012: Mahdi Abu-Omar, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2011: Frederick Dahlquist (Emeritus), Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2011: Robert Sugar (Emeritus), Physics
- 2010: Chris Van de Walle, Materials
- 2009: Bjorn Birnir, Mathematics
- 2009: Richard Church (Emeritus), Geography
- 2009: Steven Gaines, EEMB
- 2008: Susannah Scott, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2008: David Siegel, Geography
- 2005: Linda Petzold, Mathematics / Computer Science
- 2003: David Low (Emeritus), MCDB
- 2000: James Kennett (Emeritus), Earth Science
- 2000: Kenneth Millett (Emeritus), Mathematics
- 1994: Galen Stucky (Emeritus), Chemistry / Materials
- 1993: Peter C. Ford (Emeritus), Chemistry
- 1992: Gerald Jacobs (Emeritus), Psychological & Brain Sciences
- 1987: David Gross, Physics (KITP)