Yang-Tse Cheng, Ph.D., the Frank J. Derbyshire Professor of Materials Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and professor of physics and astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow, a distinguished lifetime honor within the scientific community.
Cheng is among the 502 scientists, engineers and innovators elected as 2023 AAAS Fellows.
AAAS is one of the world’s largest general scientific societies and publisher of the Science family of journals. The newly elected Fellows overwhelmingly represent the fields of biological sciences, chemistry, medical sciences and engineering followed by neuroscience and physics.
Cheng was elected for his contributions to better understanding the micro- and nanoscale mechanical and electrochemical behavior of materials for electric vehicle applications and beyond.
“This would not have been possible without the contributions of former and current graduate students and staff support, as well as contributions from collaborators at UK and elsewhere, including many from companies and national labs,” said Cheng. “This recognition will further motivate our research in understanding the micro- and nanoscale mechanical and electrochemical behavior of materials for batteries and other applications.”
“This is a wonderful and well-deserved honor. Dr. Cheng embodies the spirit of curiosity, the engine of scientific advancement. He always asks interesting and insightful questions that stimulate conversation and new ideas, and continually pushes people to challenge what we accept as true to verify if it is indeed true,” said Thomas Dziubla, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.
Cheng was elected along with Pradeep Kachroo, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The two join the ranks of seven other active UK AAAS Fellows.
AAAS first launched this lifetime recognition in 1874, about 25 years after the association was founded.
“As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the AAAS Fellows, AAAS is proud to recognize the newly elected individuals. This year’s class embodies scientific excellence, fosters trust in science throughout the communities they serve, and leads the next generation of scientists while advancing scientific achievements,” said Sudip S. Parikh, Ph.D., AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals.
The new Fellows will receive a certificate and rosette pin to commemorate their election and will be celebrated at a forum on Sept. 21, 2024. That evening, AAAS will also celebrate the program’s 150th anniversary at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
About AAASThe American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, visit www.aaas.org.
