News Release
Two NC State University Professors Named AAAS Fellows
Media Contact(s)
Mick Kulikowski, News Services, (919) 515-8387
Oct. 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two North Carolina State University scientists have been elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
 |
| Dr. Steve Lommel |
Dr. Steve Lommel, professor of plant pathology and assistant vice chancellor for research development, and Dr. Roger Narayan, associate professor of biomedical engineering with a dual appointment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, are among 471 scientists to be honored by AAAS.
Lommel's research focuses on how plant viruses regulate gene expression and move throughout a plant, causing a systemic infection. The goal of this work is to understand the process of viral systemic infection in sufficient detail to design control strategies that prevent the establishment and spread of a viral infection.
In 1998, Lommel and a colleague were the first to show that RNA can control gene expression, a function formerly attributed only to DNA. This discovery not only established an entirely new mechanism for regulating genetic expression but also provided supporting evidence for the popular hypothesis that RNAs were the first molecules capable of independent replication and enzymatic activity in the "primordial soup of life."
Lommel joined the NC State faculty in 1988. In 2001, he became assistant vice chancellor for research development. While he continues to serve in this capacity, this July he also was named interim associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He currently serves as NC State's representative to the North Carolina Research Campus, a multi-million dollar project being developed by Dole Foods owner David Murdock in Kannapolis.
Lommel received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of San Francisco, and his master's and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from the University of California at Berkeley.
 |
| Dr. Roger Narayan |
Narayan is well-known for his innovative and industry-changing work with lasers in medicine. His research group has led internationally recognized efforts in the development of microstructured and nanostructured biomaterials using pulsed laser deposition, laser direct writing and two-photon polymerization.
Narayan's work has shown that laser microfabrication technology has the potential to allow the development of tailored artificial tissues that match the geometries of injured, damaged or missing tissues. He has also used laser microfabrication technology to create middle ear prostheses, microneedles and other novel medical devices.
Narayan has received several prestigious awards for his research activities, including the National Science Foundation Career Award and the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award. He currently serves as head of the editorial committee for Materials and Processes for Medical Devices. Narayan has also recently started work as editor-in-chief of the journal Materials Science and Engineering C: Materials for Biological Applications.
Narayan received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from NC State, his M.D. from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from NC State.
AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and the publisher of the journal Science. Each year, the AAAS Council elects members whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished. Fellows are nominated by their peers and undergo an extensive review process.
Lommel and Narayan will be recognized at the AAAS annual meeting in Boston in February 2008.
- 30 -