Two University of Minnesota scientists elected as AAAS fellows

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) elected two University of Minnesota scientists among its 2024 class of Fellows. Carrie Haskell-Luevano, a professor in the College of Pharmacy, and Douglas Allchin, a long-standing resident fellow in the College of Liberal Arts, joined the class of 471 scientists, engineers and innovators across 24 disciplinary sections recognized for scientific and social achievements.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Carrie Haskell-Luevano and Douglas Allchin on this achievement,” said AAAS Fellow and U of M Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Croson. “Their research and collaborative efforts have generated important discoveries and improved all of our lives. Being elected to the AAAS shows the considerable impact they have had on scientists, policymakers and practitioners across the country.”

Carrie Haskell-Luevano (section: pharmaceutical sciences)

Dr. Haskell-Luevano is a professor and the Philip S. Portoghese Endowed Chair in chemical neuroscience in the College of Pharmacy. Haskell-Luevano is also a scholar in the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Institute for Translational Neuroscience. Her research focuses on the understanding of G protein-coupled receptors and their involvement in numerous biological functions, including feeding behavior, pain and obesity. By using multidisciplinary approaches to study endocrine systems, her work has led to the discovery of “one of a kind” molecular tool and probe compounds. These molecules are likely to advance therapeutic discovery for diseases like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and neuropathic pain.

She was recognized by AAAS "for distinguished contributions to the field of neuroscience, particularly understanding the role of melanocortin receptors in appetite/obesity and their potential as therapeutic targets."

Douglas Allchin (section: history and philosophy of science)

Allchin is a Resident Fellow at the Minnesota Center for the Philosophy of Science. He holds a doctorate in Conceptual Foundations of Science from the University of Chicago. His work bridges history and philosophy of science and science education. His research focuses chiefly on error in science — how scientists make mistakes, how they find them, and how they remedy them. He has organized many conferences on the history and philosophy of science, and is currently developing curriculum for teaching about scientific misinformation in the media.  

He was recognized "for pioneering work in introducing history and philosophy of science into the K-12 curriculum, and in preparing teachers for increasing the science literacy of their students."

“This year’s class of Fellows are the embodiment of scientific excellence and service to our communities,” said Sudip S. Parikh, Ph.D., AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “At a time when the future of the scientific enterprise in the U.S. and around the world is uncertain, their work demonstrates the value of sustained investment in science and engineering.”

View a full list of the 2024 class of AAAS Fellows and historic honorees at aaas.org/fellows.