Three Syracuse University faculty members—Duncan Brown, Kevin Crowston and Lisa Manning—have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The highly prestigious designation recognizes extraordinary achievements and contributions to the advancement of science.
Fifteen Syracuse faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows since 2004. This is the first time the honor has gone to three professors in a single year.
“This is one of the most distinguished honors a researcher can receive, and I am incredibly proud that three of our exceptional faculty members have earned this recognition,” says Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer. “Their work reflects Syracuse University’s deep commitment to advancing knowledge that matters, both within our fields and for the world at large. We congratulate them on this well-deserved honor and look forward to the continued impact of their scholarship.”
Duncan Brown
Brown, the Charles Brightman Endowed Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S), has served as the University’s vice president for research since 2022. An internationally recognized leader in gravitational-wave astronomy, he was a founding member of the search for merging black holes that led to the discovery of gravitational waves with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
His current research focuses on the development of Cosmic Explorer, a proposed next-generation ground-based gravitational-wave observatory, and the use of gravitational-wave observations to explore the nuclear equation of state.
AAAS recognized Brown for “foundational contributions enabling the search for and discovery of gravitational waves from black hole and neutron star coalescences, and for leadership in the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Cosmic Explorer.”
Kevin Crowston
Crowston is a distinguished professor of information science in the School of Information Studies. His research explores how information and communication technology—particularly the internet and artificial intelligence—changes the way people work. He and his colleagues have explored Free/Libre Open Source Software development, citizen science, data science teamwork and the future of journalism, using a mix of observation, theory-building and tool design. His most recent project, supported by a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, examines the impact of generative AI on human skill development and retention, particularly in programming.
AAAS recognized Crowston for “distinguished contributions to information science through groundbreaking research on coordination theory and virtual organizations, exceptional editorial leadership and dedicated service building interdisciplinary communities studying technology-mediated work.”
Lisa Manning
Manning is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Physics in A&S. Her research uses computer modeling and physics-based theory to understand how groups of cells behave in living tissue and how materials like glass or sand deform and break down.
Her work has real-world implications for cancer, wound healing, embryonic development and asthma. In 2019, she was named a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), an honor given to just half of 1% of the professional organization’s membership. She served as founding director of the BioInspired Institute from 2019-23.
AAAS recognized Manning for “distinguished contributions to the theory of mechanical response and adaptation in biological materials.”
Distinguished Group
Brown, Crowston and Manning join 12 other Syracuse faculty members previously named AAAS Fellows: Marina Artuso, distinguished professor of physics (2024); Jennifer Ross, professor of physics and interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (2023); Jason Wiles, associate professor of biology (2023); Vir Phoha, professor of electrical engineering and computer science (2018); Charles Driscoll, University Professor of Environmental Systems and Distinguished Professor, civil and environmental engineering (2017); Alan Middleton, professor of physics and A&S interim associate dean for creativity, scholarship and research (2016); George Langford, dean emeritus and professor emeritus of biology (2013); M. Cristina Marchetti, professor emerita of physics (2013); Donald Siegel, professor emeritus of Earth and environmental sciences (2012); William Starmer, professor emeritus of biology (2011); Ramesh Raina, professor of biology (2007); and W. Henry Lambright, professor emeritus of political science (2004).
