Professor Blake Peterson elected AAAS Fellow


LAWRENCE — Blake Peterson, University of Kansas Distinguished Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, has been named a 2013 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general scientific society. Fellows are nominated and selected by their peers for distinguished achievements that advance science or its application.

The AAAS announced that he was “being honored for distinguished contributions to the field of bioorganic chemistry, particularly the development of synthetic mimics of cell surface receptors and fluorescent probes of biological systems."

Peterson’s research focuses on studies of biologically active small molecules. His laboratory works in the fields of organic chemistry and chemical biology to create compounds that can be used to probe cellular biology, understand mechanisms of disease pathways and discover new therapeutic agents.

 “I am humbled and honored to be recognized by the AAAS," Peterson said. “This award is especially meaningful to me because I was nominated and elected by my peers.”

School of Pharmacy Dean Ken Audus said he was pleased but not surprised to learn that Peterson had been added to the elite group.

“Blake Peterson continues to distinguish himself as an important and influential leader in the chemical biology field. We’re fortunate to have him as a member of the School of Pharmacy faculty,” Audus said. “In addition to the much-deserved recognition of Blake Peterson and his research group, it also serves as a reminder that we have some of the world’s best researchers working right here at the University of Kansas.”

The new AAAS Fellows, whose names were published in the Nov. 29 issue of Science, will be honored at the AAAS Fellows Forum on Saturday, Feb. 15, during the AAAS Annual Meeting in Chicago. Peterson is the only KU faculty member elected to this prestigious group this year.

Tue, 12/03/2013

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Jackie Hosey

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Jackie Hosey

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