UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Scott A. Showalter, professor of chemistry and of biochemistry and molecular biology at Penn State, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of two Eberly College of Science faculty members to receive this honor this year. Election as a Fellow is an honor bestowed by peers upon members of the AAAS, the world's largest general scientific society, for their extraordinary achievements in advancing science. Sholwater was recognized for “development and application of biophysical approaches to understand structures, dynamics and biological functions of intrinsically disordered proteins and microRNAs, and for exemplary service to the field of biophysics.”
Showalter is a biophysical chemist who uses experimental and computational techniques to study biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, with a focus on the relationship between structure, dynamics, and function. One focus of his research is the development of novel methods for analyzing dynamics information for highly flexible and intrinsically disordered biomolecular systems. In particular, he develops nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to investigate the implications of protein dynamics and disorder in the processes of protein-mediated signalng.
In 2019, Showalter was honored with the Eberly College of Science Distinguished Faculty Mentoring Award in recognition of his long-standing dedication to helping students and colleagues reach their full potential as scientists, leaders, and professionals. Additional awards and honors include a Eastern Analytical Symposium New Faculty Award in NMR Spectroscopy in 2012, and a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2010.
Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State in 2008, Showalter was a postdoctoral fellow at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory from 2005 to 2008. He received a doctoral degree at Washington University in St. Louis in 2004 and a bachelor's degree at Cornell University in 1999.
Fellows will receive an official certificate and a pin to commemorate their election and will be celebrated later this year during an in-person gathering when it is feasible from a public health and safety perspective. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information visit the AAAS website.