Four Yale Engineers Elected to Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

Four faculty members of the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science - Andre Levchenko, Jordan Peccia, Zhong Shao, and Frederick J. Sigworth - have been elected to membership in the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE). In addition to the three SEAS representatives, eight other new CASE members are affiliated with Yale University.

Andre Levchenko, John C. Malone Professor & Director, Yale Systems Biology Institute, cited for outstanding innovation and impact in the field of systems biology, specifically for introducing novel technical approaches and quantitative methods to elucidate dynamic signaling networks that control both individual and collective cellular responses to diverse chemical and mechanical cues.

Jordan Peccia, professor of chemical and environmental engineering, cited for environmental biotechnology with an emphasis on: human exposure to pathogens and allergens, microbiology of the built environment, indoor air quality, bioaerosols, integration of aerosol science with molecular biology-based methods for exposure analysis, human health impacts, and microbial risk.

Zhong Shao, professor of computer science, cited for pioneering contributions to the development of novel programming languages, logics, and tools for building certifiably reliable and secure system software. His techniques led to the world's first mechanized proof of functional correctness of a complete, general-purpose concurrent operating-system kernel with fine-grained locking.

Frederick J. Sigworth, professor of cellular and molecular physiology with joint appointments in biomedical engineering and molecular biophysics and biochemistry, cited for research that unravels the workings of ion channel proteins, the “molecular machines” that switch on and off the electrical currents carried by ions across biological membrane proteins. He developed methods for recording and analyzing the single-molecule events underlying the switching of currents, and currently studies the structure of ion-channel proteins by electron cryo-microscopy.

Election to the Academy is on the basis of scientific and engineering distinction achieved through significant contributions in theory or applications, as demonstrated by original published books and papers, patents, the pioneering of new and developing fields and innovative products, outstanding leadership of nationally recognized technical teams, and external professional awards in recognition of scientific and engineering excellence.

CASE was chartered by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1976 to provide expert guidance on science and technology to the people and to the state of Connecticut, and to promote the application of science and technology to human welfare and economic well-being.