The Washington State Academy of Sciences is pleased to share the news of the election of three of its members as Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. James Champoux (UW, Professor of Microbiology), James Riley (UW, Professor of Mechanical Engineering), and Usha Varanasi (UW, NOAA NW Fisheries Science Center Research Director – retired) were chosen by the AAAS Council for their notable work advancing science.
Of the 396 AAAS members elected as Fellows in November 2017, an additional five are from Washington State: Lisa M. Frenkel (UW Medicine, Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases), Stanley C. Froehner (UW, Professor of Physiology & Biophysics), Gail P. Jarvik (UW, Professor of Medical Genetics), Matt R. Kaeberlein (UW Medicine, Pathology), and John W. Peters (WSU, Professor of Biological Chemistry).
Congratulations to all!
Related Posts
March 23, 2026
WSAS members Brian French (WSU) and Philip Bell (UW) joined WSAS Executive Director Melanie Roberts in Olympia, alongside presenters from Washington STEM and the Pacific Science Center, to discuss “The Science of STEM Education” with the bipartisan, bicameral ScITech Caucus.
January 23, 2026
A new initiative from the Washington State Academy of Sciences called Growing with AI will bring together the state’s tech giants and diverse farming community to tackle pressing challenges in the agriculture industry.
October 28, 2025
WAJAS is a WSAS program recognizing exceptional high school students from across the state for outstanding original scientific research and offering opportunities to connect with the research community in Washington and beyond. Fellows were publicly honored alongside Washington's top researchers at the WSAS 20th Anniversary Celebration on October 7.


