EAST LANSING, Mich. — Three Michigan State University professors have been awarded the distinction as this year’s American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows.

Among this year’s 449 American Association for the Advancement of Science members recognized for their efforts to advance their area of science are:

• Shelagh Ferguson-Miller, University Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology since 2003
• Kenneth Keegstra, University Distinguished Professor with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Robert Pennock, professor in the Lyman Briggs School of Science, the Department of Philosophy, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior graduate program

Ferguson-Miller is receiving the honor for her contributions to the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.

“The recognition as a fellow of the AAAS is rewarding in that it brings more recognition to the biochemistry and molecular biology department and MSU,” she said. “I am appreciative of my scientific colleagues for nominating and supporting my election. AAAS is one of the most important scientific organizations in the country in promoting all aspects of science and science education. It is an honor to be a part of it.”

Ferguson-Miller joined the faculty of MSU in 1978. She is published widely in her field with research featured in Biochemistry and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Ferguson-Miller earned a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin.

Keegstra is being recognized for his pioneering work in plant biology.

“Clearly it is an honor to join this group of distinguished scientists. I particularly value the AAAS Fellows award because it involves recognition by my peers,” Keegstra said.

Keegstra has received fellowships from the National Institute of Health, as well as being recognized as a Fulbright Scholar. His research has appeared in many scientific publications, including the Journal of Biological Chemistry and Plant Physiology. Keegstra joined MSU in 1993 and is a past director of the MSU-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory. He earned his doctorate from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Pennock is recognized for distinguished service in voicing the philosophical deficits in the pro-intelligent design argument and defending against its inclusion in science teaching.

“I feel very humbled to be honored for just doing what I love to do – studying philosophically and experimentally how science and evolution work, and helping teach about that process of discovery,” Pennock said. “Science is such an important way of understanding ourselves and our world; it deserves to be protected from those who would try to extinguish its light.”

Pennock has published two books and many articles that critique the intelligent design creationist movement. His 1999 book, Tower of Babel: the Evidence Against the New Creationism, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He was an expert witness in the historic Kitzmiller v.Dover case that ruled it unconstitutional to teach intelligent design  creationism in public schools. His work has been discussed in newspapers and magazines such as Harpers and Discover. Pennock earned his doctorate in history and philosophy of science from the University of Pittsburgh.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science. The tradition of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows began more than a century ago, in 1874.

The 2006 fellows will be honored and presented with a certificate and rosette pin at the Fellows Forum during the February 2007 American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

For more information, visit http://www.aaas.org.

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