Six UC San Diego scholars working in areas as different as economics and physics have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the prestigious honorary and research society John Adams and John Hancock founded a few years after the U.S. became a nation.
An infectious disease expert from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology also was elected to AAAS, along with a number famous figures, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and author and political activist Gloria Steinem.
The UCSD identified and described by UCSD include:
Carol Padden, a linguist who doubles as dean of the School of Social Sciences. She is known for her insights about the evolution of language, especially American Sign Language, and the cultural life in deaf communities. Padden won a MacArthur Fellowship known as a “genius grant” in 2010.
James D. Hamilton, an economist who is highly regarded on many topics, including business cycles, monetary policy and energy markets. He also served as a visiting scholar at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., and at many regional U.S. Federal Reserve Bank branches.
Randy Hampton, a cell and developmental biologist who studies how cells selectively detect and destroy proteins — an area essential to understanding health problems related to aging.
M. Brian Maple, a condensed matter expert who served three as chair of UCSD’s department of physics. He is an expert on so-called emerging phenomena, which involves complex behavior that, among other things, influences how societies function.
Suresh Subramani, a molecular biologist who specializes in the study of peroxisomes, tiny membranes that play a crucial role in human health, notably by breaking down fatty acids and neutralizing toxic substances in the body.
Amanda Datnow, an education expert who specializes in educational policy and reforms, particularly as it applies to issues of equity and the professional lives of educators.
A scientist from the La Jolla Institute was also elected:
Shane Crotty, an immunologist who serves as chief scientific officer at the institute. He’s widely known for his insights into how the immune system re infections and vaccines, which is essential to vaccine development.
