In fields ranging from evolutionary biology to plant science, nine Cornell faculty members and scientists have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science.

AAAS awarded 702 of its members the distinction of fellow this year. Fellows are elected by their peers.

"These individuals have been elevated to this rank because of their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished," according to the AAAS news release.

New fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a rosette pin Feb. 16 at the 2013 annual AAAS meeting, held in Boston.

The new fellows from Cornell and their AAAS citations are:

• Anurag Agrawal, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology: "For distinguished fundamental contributions toward understanding the ecology and evolutionary biology of plant-herbivore interactions."

• Edward Buckler, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service research geneticist in Cornell's Institute for Genomic Diversity: "For pioneering genetic approaches that allow researchers to identify the individual genes controlling complex traits in plants which will greatly facilitate crop improvement for yield and nutritional value."

• Joseph Fetcho, professor of neurobiology and behavior: "For creative contributions to the area of motor circuitry, and for a strong record of commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral scholars."

• Maria Harrison, the William H. Crocker Research Chair at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) for Plant Research: "For distinguished contributions to our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of development, signal transduction and phosphate acquisition in symbioses between plants and mycorrhizal fungi."

• Xin-Yun Huang, professor of physiology and biophysics at Weill Cornell Medical College: "For distinguished contributions to the field of cellular signaling, particularly for G-protein mediated signaling."

• Georg Jander, associate scientist at BTI: "For distinguished contributions to the study of plant resistance to herbivores, especially aphids, and to the study of plant amino acid metabolism."

• Daniel Klessig, scientist at BTI: "For distinguished contributions to the field of plant immunity, especially the critical roles played by the salicylic acid and nitric oxide-mediated pathways."

• Shahin Rafii, director of the Ansary Stem Cell Institute and the Arthur B. Belfer Professor in Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell: "For seminal contributions to the field of vascular biology, stem cell homeostasis and development of transformative preclinical models to induce organ regeneration and target tumors."

• Margaret Rossiter, the Marie Underhill Noll Professor of History of Science: "For pioneering research on the history of women in science (three volumes) and for outstanding service as editor of the history of science journal Isis."