Congratulations to Francisco Bezanilla the Lillian Eichelberger Cannon Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Professor Mercedes Pascual (Ecology and Evolution) who have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The award was given to 214 individuals across several sectors including academia, business, government, and public affairs. Those who receive the award have work that advances the public good and informs policy.
Francisco Bezanilla's work deals with understanding voltage channels in excitable cells. His work lead to use of light to stimulate nerve and muscle known as "optocapacitance".
Mercedes Pascual deals with climate change and how it effects diseases such as cholera and malaria. As humans continue to change the world around them and thus effect climate change, it will be important to understand how these changes will influence public health.
To learn more about Bezanilla's and Pascual's nomination and work see Louise Lerner and Jack Wang's article at UChicago News.