Barbara A. Schaal

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Barbara Anna Schaal
Barbara Schaal.jpg
Born1947 (age 74–75)
Berlin, Germany
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materYale University,
University of Illinois, Chicago
Scientific career
InstitutionsWashington University in St. Louis
Doctoral advisorDonald Levin[1]
Websitewww.biology.wustl.edu/faculty/schaal/

Barbara Anna Schaal (born 1947 in Berlin, Germany, naturalized in 1956) American scientist, evolutionary biologist, is a professor at Washington University in St. Louis and vice president of the National Academy of Sciences. She is the first woman to be elected vice president of the Academy. Since April 2009, Schaal has served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).[2][3]

Education[edit]

Schaal grew up in Chicago, graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago with a degree in biology, and received a doctorate from Yale University in 1974.

Area of expertise[edit]

Schaal is best known for her work on the genetics of plant species. She is known particularly well for her studies that use molecular genetic data to understand evolutionary processes such as gene flow, geographical differentiation, and the domestication of crop species.[4]

Career[edit]

Schaal was on the faculty of the University of Houston and Ohio State University before joining Washington University in 1980, where she has served as chair of the biology department. In 2009, Schaal was named the Mary-Dell Chilton Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences at Washington University. She was formerly the director of Tyson Research Center and has been president of the Botanical Society of America and president of the Society for the Study of Evolution.[4][5]

Schaal became Washington University's dean of Arts & Sciences on January 1, 2013.[6] In 2015 Schaal was elected as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and assumed the position in 2016.[5][4] In her president's address at AAAS' 2017 annual meeting, held Feb. 16-20 in Boston, titled 'Science and Technology for the Public Good,' she discussed the value of science and told the audience of scientists, students, journalists and science communicators that 'it is our obligation as scientists and citizens to speak up for science … be a force for science.[7]

Schaal established both the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Faculty Leadership Award in 2014 as a way to recognize exceptional commitment to Arts & Sciences and its students.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Washington U. scientist Barbara Schaal named to presidential panel". St. Louis Beacon. June 7, 2009. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Barbara A. Schaal". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  3. ^ "PCAST Members". Office of Science and Technology Policy. Retrieved April 24, 2014 – via National Archives.
  4. ^ a b c "Barbara Schaal Chosen to Serve as AAAS President-Elect". AAAS. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Barbara Schaal chosen president-elect of AAAS". Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  6. ^ "Nationally renowned professor named Dean of Arts and Sciences". Student Life. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  7. ^ "Public | Your Web Disclosure Platform ·". publicnow.com. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  8. ^ "Arts & Sciences recognizes faculty for excellence in teaching, leadership | The Source | Washington University in St. Louis". The Source. 2017-10-03. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
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