Four professors from the University of California Los Angeles were elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, according to an announcement on Apr. 1. The honor recognizes their contributions to scientific progress and its application in society.
The election places these faculty members among 449 new fellows across academia, technology, and government. The association is one of the largest general scientific societies worldwide with over 120,000 members and publishes Science and related journals. The newly elected fellows will be recognized at a forum in Washington, D.C., on May 29.
“These Fellows and their accomplishments validate the importance of investing in science and technology for the benefit of all,” said Sudip S. Parikh, CEO of the association.
The UCLA honorees are Stuart Brown (professor and chair of physics and astronomy), Marilyn Raphael (professor of geography), Alexander Spokoyny (professor and chair of chemistry and biochemistry), and Yongkang Xue (professor of geography). Their research spans experimental condensed matter physics, climate science focusing on Antarctic sea ice dynamics, organomimetic cluster chemistry using boron-based molecules for advanced materials, and land-atmosphere interactions affecting global weather patterns.
UCLA has been associated with Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, excellence in scholarship, arts, athletics, diverse perspectives through academic programs, a 419-acre campus supporting research activities—all within the University of California system—according to its official website.
The recognition reflects both individual achievement by these scientists as well as UCLA’s broader reputation for fostering innovation across disciplines. As they prepare to be honored nationally later this spring, their work continues to advance knowledge that shapes society.