Five University of Georgia faculty have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, bringing the university’s total membership in the exclusive group to 50.
UGA’s new Fellows, who are elected each year by the AAAS Council to recognize scientific achievements, are Melissa Mitchum of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Thomas Mote, Robert Schmitz, Michael Terns and Zheng-Hua Ye of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
“Through their research, these five individuals have made significant impacts in their respective fields, from plant pathology and genetics to climate impact to viruses and biotechnology,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “We are very proud to see them recognized with this honor and excited to see what the future holds for each of them.”
Melissa Mitchum
Melissa Mitchum (UGA photo)
Mitchum, professor in the department of plant pathology and Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics at the Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, researches the interactions between nematodes and plants like soybeans, tomatoes and corn. By understanding how nematodes manipulate plant cells and discovering the genes used by plants to resist infection, Mitchum’s work can help breeders develop more resistant crops and explore new strategies to protect agriculture from these parasites.
“It’s the great teams, shared visions and joint efforts that have led to breakthrough scientific discoveries that are improving plant health,” Mitchum said. “The recognition this honor brings is a reflection of the outstanding teams of researchers, including fellow scientists, postdoctoral research associates, students and staff, that I have had the privilege to work alongside through the years.”
Thomas Mote
Thomas Mote (UGA photo)
Mote, Distinguished Research Professor in the department of geography, studies how atmospheric patterns influence extreme weather from heavy rain and snow to melting ice. His research has spanned the polar regions, where he examines how weather systems affect Greenland’s ice sheet, to the Caribbean, where he has explored climate change, land use and dust effects on rainfall and drought.
“I am honored to be recognized by AAAS, an organization that plays a vital role in advancing science and serving society,” Mote said. “I am grateful to the University of Georgia for fostering a supportive environment that has advanced my science.”
Robert Schmitz
Robert Schmitz (Peter Frey/UGA)
Schmitz is a professor and Lars G. Ljungdahl Distinguished Investigator in the department of genetics and holds the UGA Foundation Professorship in Plant Sciences. His laboratory studies how epigenetic variation enables plants to thrive in both natural and experimental environments. Additionally, his team is developing new methods to identify DNA sequences that can be engineered to precisely control when, where and to what extent a gene is expressed, with the goal of enhancing crop performance.
“I’m honored to be named an AAAS Fellow, but this recognition truly belongs to the talented researchers in my lab, both past and present,” Schmitz said. “Their dedication and curiosity drive our breakthroughs in plant epigenetics, and I’m grateful for their contributions and boldness to push the boundaries of discovery.”
Michael Terns
Michael Terns (Photo by Amy Ware)
Terns, Regents’ Professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology, primarily studies CRISPR-Cas systems, RNA-based adaptive immune systems that control invasions of viruses. His work has shed light on how bacteria use these systems to defend themselves against viruses by capturing and storing genetic fragments of past invaders, offering new insights for gene editing tools, disease treatment and precision antibiotics.
“I am deeply honored and thrilled by this recognition of our research’s impact on the growing field of CRISPR biology and its applications in human health,” Terns said.
Zheng-Hua Ye
Zheng-Hua Ye (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Ye, a professor in the department of plant biology, uncovers molecular mechanisms of secondary cell wall biosynthesis and how the process is controlled at the genetic level. Among his contributions is the development of a trait in alfalfa that reduces the amount of lignin without reducing the plant’s strength, resulting in an increase in yield and an improvement in the plant’s nutritional value for the cattle that consume it.
“I am greatly honored to have received this special recognition, something I have never dreamed of,” Ye said. “I am tremendously appreciative of my lab members, past and present, for their creative work, my collaborators and colleagues for their generous support and the Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences program for its continued financial support of my research endeavors.”
The 2024 class includes 471 total inductees. The new Fellows will be recognized at a forum in Washington, D.C., on June 7.
