Litchman, Zipkin among nine from MSU named AAAS Fellows
EEB Director Elise Zipkin and EEB core faculty member Elena Litchman are among nine Michigan State University researchers who have been elected 2025 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, or AAAS, one of the world’s largest and most respected scientific societies.
They join MSU's Ann Austin, Gary Blanchard, Shi-you Ding, Dean Lee, Hui Li, James McCusker, and Dohun Pyeon in being recognized for their work spanning education, chemistry, cancer studies, biological and medical sciences, physics and agriculture, and food and renewable resources. Since 1874, AAAS — pronounced “triple-A-S” — has recognized distinguished individuals as fellows for their contributions to science and society.
The 2025 cohort of fellows includes nearly 500 scientists, engineers and innovators. The nine MSU fellows represent four colleges and a shared commitment to research that improves lives and expands opportunity. Much of their work is funded by the federal government.
Elena Litchman was named a fellow for her work in biological sciences. Her lab investigates how algae, cyanobacteria and other microorganisms respond to global environmental change in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Combining field observations, laboratory experiments and mathematical modeling, Litchman and her team study what drives biodiversity and ecological resilience and how microbial communities affect water quality and ecosystem functioning. Her work also explores how environmental changes can influence microbial systems connected to human health. In one 2025 article, Litchman discusses how climate change affects gut health and is featured for her work with the MSU Water Alliance.
“I am honored to be recognized by AAAS,” Litchman said. “I am grateful that such an influential scientific society recognized my research on how aquatic ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions and how biodiversity and water quality may be affected.”
Elise Zipkin was elected as a AAAS Fellow for her work in ecology, conservation biology and the management of biodiversity. Using advanced statistical models and long-term data, Zipkin and her team work to assess and predict biodiversity trends and inform conservation strategies. Her work helps guide decision-making on protecting species and managing natural resources in a rapidly changing world.
Zipkin, along with colleague and 2024 AAAS Fellow Nick Haddad, co-authored a study that raises the possibility of a country without butterflies — and urges conservation efforts.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized as a fellow of AAAS,” Zipkin said. “This distinction reflects not only my own work, but the collective efforts of the many mentors, students, postdocs and collaborators who have shaped my scientific journey. Science is inherently a team endeavor, and I am especially grateful to be part of a vibrant and supportive community of colleagues at MSU.”
“It’s an honor to join AAAS in recognizing so many outstanding MSU researchers,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “Not only are they confronting local and global challenges through their research, but these faculty members are also preparing Spartans for careers of today and tomorrow. I’m proud of how they all represent this leading global public university’s firm commitment to excellence and service.”
“This year’s AAAS Fellows have demonstrated research excellence, made notable contributions to advance science and delivered important services to their communities,” said Sudip Parikh, AAAS chief executive officer and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “These fellows and their accomplishments validate the importance of investing in science and technology for the benefit of all.”
The nine MSU faculty join a distinguished list of more than 190 current and past Spartans who have been selected as fellows.
Read more at MSU Today.
