Three faculty members at Washington University in St. Louis are among 347 new fellows named by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. David W. Piston, PhD; Shelly E. Sakiyama-Elbert, PhD; and Jeffrey M. Zacks, PhD, will receive the highest honor awarded by AAAS in recognition of their distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. 

Sakiyama-Elbert, professor of biomedical engineering and vice dean for research in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, is being recognized for her fundamental contributions to advanced biomaterials and for leading research on nerve regeneration systems.

Her research focuses on developing biomaterials for drug delivery, as well as cell transplantation for the treatment of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injury. She is a member of the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders and Institute of Materials Science and Engineering at Washington University, as well as co-director of the recently established Center of Regenerative Medicine.

Sakiyama-Elbert joined the College of Fellows for the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2011, and was elected a fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society in 2013. She also serves on the board of the Society for Biomaterials. At Washington University, she was co-president of the Association of Women Faculty from 2012-14, and a Provost Faculty Fellow from 2012-13.