Five faculty members from the University of Georgia (UGA) have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a prestigious honor recognizing significant scientific contributions. This brings UGA’s total to 50 members in the exclusive group.
The newly elected UGA Fellows are Melissa Mitchum from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Thomas Mote, Robert Schmitz, Michael Terns, and Zheng-Hua Ye from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Each of these individuals has made substantial contributions to their respective fields, including plant pathology, genetics, climate impact, viruses, and biotechnology.
Mitchum, a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics at UGA’s Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, specializes in the interactions between nematodes and key crops such as soybeans, tomatoes, and corn. Her research focuses on understanding how nematodes manipulate plant cells and discovering plant genes that resist infection, with the aim of helping breeders develop more resistant crops.
Mote, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Geography, studies atmospheric patterns and their influence on extreme weather events, ranging from heavy rainfall to ice melt. His work spans diverse regions, including Greenland, where he examines the effects of weather systems on the ice sheet, and the Caribbean, where he investigates the impacts of climate change and land use on rainfall and drought.
Schmitz, a professor and Lars G. Ljungdahl Distinguished Investigator in the Department of Genetics, leads research into how epigenetic variation enables plants to thrive in diverse environments. His team is developing methods to identify DNA sequences that can precisely control gene expression, aiming to enhance crop performance.
Terns, Regents’ Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, primarily researches CRISPR-Cas systems—RNA-based immune systems that bacteria use to defend against viruses. His work has advanced the understanding of these systems and their potential for applications in gene editing, disease treatment, and precision antibiotics.
Ye, a professor in the Department of Plant Biology, investigates the molecular mechanisms behind secondary cell wall biosynthesis. His groundbreaking work includes developing a trait in alfalfa that reduces lignin without compromising the plant’s strength, resulting in increased yield and improved nutritional value for livestock.
The 2024 AAAS class includes a total of 471 inductees. The new Fellows will be officially recognized at the AAAS Annual Forum in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2025.
