Math Professor Becomes Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science
ST. LOUIS -- A Saint Louis University mathematician has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
T. Christine Stevens, Ph.D., professor of math and computer science at SLU, has been selected for her “exceptional contributions to the professional development of young mathematics professors.”
This year, 376 members have been awarded this honor by the AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. Election as a Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.
The AAAS gave special attention to Stevens’ work as the co-creator and director of Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching), a professional development program for new or recent Ph.D.s in the mathematical sciences. Since the program’s founding in 1994, Project NExT has served as the gateway through which hundreds of mathematicians have entered the academic profession.
“This honor highlights the significant role Dr. Stevens has played in the advancement of mathematics with Project NExT, helping new faculty members move from being graduate students focused on research to full members of the professional community, active as researchers and teachers,” said Mike May, S.J., chairman of the department of mathematics and computer science.
Last year, Stevens earned one of the highest honors in the field of mathematics. She received the 2004 Yueh-Gin Gung and Dr. Charles Y. Hu Award for Distinguished Service to Mathematics, the most prestigious award made by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).
Stevens’ leadership of Project NExT is just one of her many accomplishments. She also was appointed as a Congressional Science Fellow and worked as a legislative assistant for a New York Congressman on issues involving defense, arms control and higher education.
A graduate of Smith College, Stevens earned her Ph.D. in mathematics at Harvard University. Before coming to Saint Louis University in 1989, she taught at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Mount Holyoke College and Arkansas State University.
New AAAS Fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue -- representing science and engineering, respectively -- rosette pin Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Fellows Forum during the 2006 AAAS Annual Meeting in St. Louis.
The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874. Members can be considered for the rank of Fellow if nominated by a steering group of their respective sections, by three Fellows or by the association's chief executive officer. Each steering group then reviews the nominations of individuals within its respective section and forwards a final list to the AAAS Council.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world’s largest general scientific society and publishes the journal, Science (www.sciencemag.org). The AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes some 262 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals.
Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of 11,800 students on campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University is the place where knowledge touches lives. Learn more about SLU at www.slu.edu.
