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Professors at the University of Georgia C. Robin Buell and Daniel R. Perez have been selected for the National Academy of Sciences, as the organization revealed on April 29.
Individuals are chosen for NAS in acknowledgment of their eminent and ongoing accomplishments in pioneering research. Membership serves as a broadly recognized symbol of excellence in the scientific community and is regarded as one of the foremost accolades a scientist can attain. With their induction, UGA now boasts 17 current or former faculty members as part of this esteemed academy.
“On behalf of the University of Georgia, I extend my congratulations to Dr. Robin Buell and Dr. Daniel Perez for this remarkable distinction,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead stated. “Throughout their illustrious careers, these two exceptional scientists have undertaken groundbreaking work that has enhanced lives and continues to transform their areas of expertise. We take immense pride in all their accomplishments.”
C. Robin Buell
Buell holds the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar Chair in Crop Genomics within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She examines the genomes of plants utilizing comparative genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. Buell was part of the team that decoded the first plant genome, Arabidopsis (which belongs to the mustard family), as well as the inaugural crop genome, rice.
“Being nominated to the NAS is an extraordinary honor,” she remarked. “It acknowledges the progress my group has achieved in advancing plant genome biology in model organisms, crops, and medicinal species over the last 25 years.”
Through the analysis of plant genomes, Buell’s research has enabled crop enhancement, enriched our understanding of plant specialized metabolites’ applications in human health, and developed biotechnological strategies to boost crop output. In 2022, Buell served as principal investigator on a $15.8 million Department of Energy grant aimed at genetically modifying poplar trees for biofuels, bioproducts, and biomaterials production.
“Dr. Buell has long been a highly esteemed figure within the scientific community, and her election to the National Academy of Sciences is a well-deserved testament to the pioneering work she has accomplished in plant genomics throughout her career,” commented CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “CAES proudly counts Dr. Buell among our world-renowned faculty, where she continues to spearhead innovative research that enhances our understanding of plant genomes, propels agricultural innovation, and contributes to a sustainable future for global food systems.”
Daniel R. Perez
Perez is the Caswell S. Eidson Chair in Poultry Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s department of population health and is recognized as a Georgia Research Alliance Distinguished Investigator. At the Center for Vaccines and Immunology and the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, both located within CVM, he specializes in emerging viral diseases, particularly zoonotic viruses such as influenza that are transmitted from animals to humans.
“Being inducted into the National Academy of Sciences is an incredible honor,” Perez stated. “Looking forward, I envision my work contributing to the NAS mission, especially by promoting public knowledge and appreciation for science.”
Perez’s laboratory employs various strategies to deepen the understanding of viral host ranges. His long-term aim is to construct a detailed map of the molecular changes linked to both animal-to-human and human-to-human transmission of influenza.
“Dr. Daniel Perez is an innovative scientist whose lifelong endeavor has centered around deciphering influenza viruses,” remarked CVM Dean Lisa K. Nolan. “His research on viral pathogenesis and transmission among host species is groundbreaking and has provided vital insights into novel prevention methods and vaccine strategies. We are genuinely proud to have his academic affiliation with the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, where he plays a crucial role in two globally recognized centers — the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center and the Center for Vaccines and Immunology.”
The NAS is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1863 through a congressional charter signed by Abraham Lincoln. It acknowledges accomplishments in science by electing members and, along with the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine, offers guidance on science, engineering, and health policy to the federal government and other organizations.
“The significant contributions Dr. Buell and Dr. Perez have made in their respective domains of plant genomics and emerging viral diseases reflect the far-reaching effects of research and innovation at the University of Georgia,” said S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “With their election, they brought honor to their own scholarly pursuits and to our institution. I warmly congratulate them on this well-earned distinction.”
“Only a select few scientists nationwide achieve the level of influence and esteem that warrants election to the NAS, and we couldn’t be prouder of this acknowledgment for Drs. Buell and Perez,” stated interim Vice President for Research Chris King. “Their years of pioneering research have resulted in priceless contributions to society that bolster the university’s national standing.”
Buell and Perez were included among 120 new members and 30 international members inducted at the NAS’s 162nd annual assembly.
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