Researcher honored by American Association for the Advancement of Science for research, educational outreach and professional work

By Sathya Achia Abraham and Molly McElroy

Alison Baski, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of the Department of Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her research on the physics of semiconductors, dedication to teaching science and service to her institution and greater community.

Baski was recognized for her “elegant elucidation of the structure of semiconductor surfaces; and for service to science in the form of educational outreach and professional and administrative work.”

Baski was among 531 individuals honored by the AAAS on the basis of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science and its applications. The election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

Baski’s research focuses on the structural and electronic properties of semiconductor surfaces using scanning microscopy techniques, which has resulted in more than 90 publications. Her work has been primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, including a Career Award.

A passionate and enthusiastic teacher, Baski has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of scientists by conducting funded work to improve the delivery of physical science in the Richmond City Public elementary schools. Baski and her team have developed educational programs to increase the science content knowledge of teachers and to provide hands-on activities for students in their classrooms. They have presented their findings at several national meetings.

During her 13 years with VCU, Baski has been committed to leadership and service, involving herself with activities from the departmental to the university level, professional societies and within the community. She has served as departmental chair for the past three years, has a joint appointment in the School of Engineering, and has served as a liaison with the VCU School of Education to help develop educational programs. Outside VCU, she is on the Board of Directors for the AVS Science and Technology Society and is involved in the community judging science fairs and organizing workshops.

Fellows were announced in the AAAS News & Notes section of the Dec. 18 issue of the journal Science. New fellows will be recognized in February at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting in San Diego.

The tradition of AAAS fellows began in 1874. The AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal, Science. AAAS was founded in 1848, and includes approximately 262 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals.