MOSCOW, Idaho — April 18, 2024 — University of Idaho Professor Adam Jones has been named a 2023 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
According to information provided by AAAS, the national honor recognizes Jones for his “distinguished contributions to the field of evolutionary biology, particularly for advancing the theory and quantification of sexual selection and the evolution of the genetic architecture underlying quantitative traits.”
AAAS was founded in 1848 and is the world’s largest general scientific society. Members are nominated for the rank of fellow by their peers and are voted on by the AAAS leadership council.
“I’m very grateful to receive this recognition, and it means a lot to me that my peers value my work,” said Jones, who is in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science. Really this is an award for my lab and all the great people who’ve worked in it over the years, so I’m also thankful that all those people wanted to help me with this research.”
Jones’ research focuses on Syngnathidae, the family of fish that includes seahorses and pipefish and is characterized by male pregnancy. Specifically, his lab’s current research focuses on comparative genomics, with a particular emphasis on the effects of sexual selection and the evolution of mating behaviors.
Despite the common misconception that seahorses are a tropical fish, they actually live all over the world, which has given Jones the opportunity to travel to places such as Australia, Sweden and Portugal.
“This prestigious accolade not only recognizes Dr. Jones’ exceptional contributions to his field but also underscores the impact of his research,” said Torrey Lawrence, U of I’s provost and executive vice president. “As one of the most highly cited researchers in his discipline, Dr. Jones has pushed the boundaries of knowledge and innovation, establishing an international research reputation that enriches our academic community.”
Jones is among an exclusive group of researchers from U of I who have earned the honor of fellow. Only three others are active in the group: Jean’ne M. Shreeve, who was inducted in 1980; Lisette Waits, 2017; and Eva Top, 2021.
“Dr. Jones’ recognition as a fellow of the AAAS is a testament to his dedication, pioneering spirit and pursuit of excellence,” Lawrence said. “It is an honor that he wholeheartedly deserves, and one that fills our institution with pride and inspiration. We are privileged to have such an outstanding scholar and mentor among us, and I am confident that his contributions will continue to elevate the University of Idaho College of Science and inspire generations to come. His commitment to guiding and inspiring young minds speaks volumes about his character and his influence on shaping the future of science.”
Jones has a bachelor’s in biology from University of Colorado Boulder and a doctorate in genetics from University of Georgia. He joined the faculty at U of I in 2017. He will receive the AAAS Fellow award at the annual AAAS Fellows Forum in Washington, D.C., in September.