LSU College of Science Faculty Named 2024 AAAS Fellows

BATON ROUGE – Two faculty members from the LSU College of Science, John A. Pojman and Les Butler, have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), joining the prestigious 2024 class. This lifetime honor recognizes individuals for their exceptional contributions to science and society. As the world’s largest general scientific society, AAAS acknowledges members across 24 disciplines for achievements in research, teaching, technology, administration, and science communication.

 

John A. Pojman

John A. Pojman, the William and Patricia Senn, Jr, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the LSU Department of Chemistry, has been named a 2024 Fellow of the AAAS in recognition of his significant contributions to polymer science. His pioneering work in frontal polymerization has advanced the development of adhesives, coatings, and cure-on-demand materials, influencing both industrial applications and scientific understanding. His research on nonlinear phenomena in polymeric systems has also provided valuable insights into reaction dynamics and material behavior, reinforcing his impact on macromolecular sciences.

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Dr. Pojman has built a prolific research program that has led to five patents, including innovative applications in biomedicine and agriculture. His collaboration with LSU AgCenter scientists to develop a bait system for controlling feral pig populations demonstrates the real-world relevance of his work, while his patented method for creating realistic 3D tumor cultures has the potential to revolutionize drug testing. His extensive scholarly contributions, including nearly 200 peer-reviewed articles and numerous conference presentations, highlight his role as a leading figure in polymer research.

Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Pojman is dedicated to mentorship and innovation. He has provided research opportunities to nearly 200 undergraduate students, helping to train the next generation of scientists. As the founder of Pojman Polymer Products, LLC, he has successfully translated his research into commercial applications, licensing polymer-based products like sculpting clay and wood filler that feature cure-on-demand functionality and are distributed worldwide.

 

Les Butler

LSU Department of Chemistry Professor Les Butler has been named a 2024 AAAS Fellow for his contributions to solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray interferometry imaging. Over his 40-year career at LSU, he has advanced X-ray and neutron methodologies with applications in chemistry, materials science, and plant science. His efforts include building four NMR spectrometers and securing funding for two commercial solid-state NMR instruments, significantly expanding LSU’s research capabilities.

Butler has also been a leader in imaging technology, playing a key role in establishing an X-ray and neutron tomography/interferometry program at LSU. He helped construct a tomography/interferometry beamline at LSU’s synchrotron and developed a laboratory-based instrument on campus, both supported by W. M. Keck Foundation funding. His expertise led him to co-found Refined Imaging LLC, a startup focused on phase-contrast imaging, blockchain-based counterfeit prevention, and applications in medical imaging, material evaluation, and agricultural research.

In addition to his research, Butler has significantly contributed to the scientific community through his role as a program officer for the National Science Foundation’s Chemistry Division from 2001 to 2002, managing a $10 million portfolio. A dedicated member of the American Chemical Society (ACS) since 1976, he has actively served in leadership positions, including as Section Chair for the Baton Rouge Local Section during the 2022 Southwest Regional Meeting. Butler is also involved with Phi Beta Kappa, serving as chapter president and on national committees, underscoring his commitment to advancing both academic excellence and the sciences.

 

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LSU's AAAS Fellows, as recognized by the affiliated Section Steering Committees:

1901: William Stubbs, Chemistry

1955: George Lowery, Zoological Sciences

1960: Arlo Landolt, Astronomy

1966: James Eldred, Geology and Geography

1971: Barbara Strawitz, Chemistry

1980: Neil Kestner, Chemistry

1980: William Pryor, Chemistry

1984: O. Carruth McGehee, Mathematics

1992: Christopher D’Elia, Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Sciences

1994: Charles Groat, Geology and Geography

1995: Steven C. Hand, Biological Sciences

1995: Nancy Rabalais, Biological Sciences

1998: Meredith Blackwell, Biological Sciences

1999: Dominique Homberger, Biological Sciences  

2001: Brian Hales, Chemistry

2002: Isiah Warner, Chemistry

2003: Kent Mathewson, Geology and Geography

2006: Jorge Pullin, Physics

2007: Mark Batzer, Biological Sciences

2007: Joel Tohline, Astronomy

2008: Kam Biu Liu, Geology and Geography

2009: Terry Bricker, Biological Sciences      

2009: Barry Dellinger, Chemistry

2009: Jonathan Dowling, Physics

2009: Brooks Ellwood, Geology and Geography

2009: Cynthia Peterson, Biological Sciences

2009: Steven Soper, Chemistry

2009: Kalliat Valsaraj, Engineering

2010: Robin McCarley, Chemistry

2010: Saundra McGuire, Chemistry

2010: Erwin Poliakoff, Chemistry

2011: Huiming Bao, Geology and Geography

2011: Gary Byerly, Geology and Geography

2011: Michael Khonsari, Engineering

2012: Susanne Brenner, Mathematics           

2012: Rongying Jin, Physics

2012: Marcia Newcomer, Biological Sciences

2012: Kenneth Schafer, Physics

2013: John Fleeger, Biological Sciences

2013: Robert Lipton, Mathematics

2014: George Stanley, Chemistry

2014: Carol Wicks, Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Sciences

2018: Prosanta Chakrabarty, Biological Sciences

2018: Anne Grove, Biological Sciences

2018: Kyle Edward Harms, Biological Sciences

2018: Wayne Newhauser, Medical Sciences

2020: Robb Brumfield, Biological Sciences

2022: Zakiya S. Wilson-Kennedy, Chemistry

2022: Samuel J. Bentley, Geology and Geography

2023: Edward Laws, Biological Sciences

2023: Sophie Warny, Geology and Geography

2023: Joseph Giaime, Physics 

2024: John A. Pojman, Chemistry

2024: Les Butler, Biological Sciences