Oregon Health & Science University researcher P. Michael Conn, PhD, Professor, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, has been elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS Fellows are elected annually by their peers because their “ … efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished.”
Dr. Conn is the first scientist at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center to receive this honor. He serves as a senior scientist at the OHSU primate center and as director of the Office of Research Advocacy at OHSU. He also is a professor of physiology and pharmacology, cell biology and development, and obstetrics and gynecology in the OHSU School of Medicine.
Dr. Conn’s work focuses on treatment of diseases caused by misfolded proteins. Common diseases linked to misfolded proteins include diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and eye cataracts. With this appointment, Dr. Conn becomes a member of the AAAS section on Medical Sciences.
Six other OHSU scientists have been elected AAAS fellows:
- Paul Brehm, Ph.D., OHSU Vollum Institute
- Michael Chapman, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, OHSU School of Medicine
- Craig Jahr, Ph.D., OHSU Vollum Institute
- Michael Liskay, Ph.D., Molecular and Medical Genetics, OHSU School of Medicine
- Gail Mandel, Ph.D., OHSU Vollum Institute
- Gary Westbrook, M.D., OHSU Vollum Institute
About AAAS
Founded in 1848, AAAS is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy; international programs; science education; and more. In addition, AAAS publishes the prestigious journal Science, as well as many scientific newsletters, books and reports, and spearheads programs that raise the bar of understanding for science worldwide.
From the OHSU media release available online.