PHILADELPHIA – Five scientists at the University of Pennsylvania are among 291 newly named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The honor acknowledges their research contributions in optical physics, microbiology, vertebrate paleontology, radiation oncology and plant biology.

Election to AAAS fellowship recognizes efforts to advance science or foster applications that are scientifically or socially distinguished. Penn's new inductees are:

• Elias Burstein, professor emeritus of physics in the School of Arts and Sciences, cited for substantial leadership, research and education in the optical physics of solids and for nurturing new fields through conference and symposia organization;
• Helen Conrad Davies, professor of microbiology in the School of Medicine, cited for research on reactions of bacterial cytochromes and antibodies as probes of enzyme function and for recruitment and retention of people of color and women in biomedical careers;
• Peter Dodson, professor of anatomy in the School of Veterinary Medicine and professor of earth and environmental science in the School of Arts and Sciences, cited for distinguished contributions to vertebrate paleontology, especially in discoveries about dinosaur biology, and for the education of the public about dinosaurs and evolution;
• Eli Glatstein, professor of radiation oncology in the School of Medicine, cited for extraordinary advances in the radiation oncology therapy of Hodgkin's diseases and other malignant disorders;
• R. Scott Poethig, professor of biology in the School of Arts and Sciences, cited for cell-lineage studies of plant development and for genetic analyses of shoot morphogenesis in maize and Arabidopsis.

Founded in 1848, AAAS works to advance human well-being through projects in science policy, science education and international scientific cooperation. With more than 134,000 members in 130 countries and 272 affiliated societies comprising more than 10 million members, AAAS is the world's largest federation of scientists. AAAS also publishes the weekly peer-reviewed journal Science.

The new fellows will be officially inducted Feb. 15, 2003, at the AAAS annual meeting in Denver.