Elite Honor: Two more Baylor profs earn prestigious AAAS Fellow recognition

In the science community, being named as a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is one of the more prestigious professional nods a researcher can achieve — not unlike election to a hall of fame in the world of sports.

Past AAAS Fellows include names like Thomas Edison and W.E.B. DuBois, along with a roster of scientists who have made significant contributions to their field. That list includes four current Baylor faculty, two of whom — Dr. Dwayne Simmons (biology) and Dr. Samuel Urlacher (anthropology) — were named among the 2025 class of AAAS Fellows.

Simmons, Baylor’s Cornelia Marschall Smith Endowed Professor of Biology, focuses his research on hearing, aging and the brain. He has partnered with the Department of Defense on work to apply his research to military members, many of whom are exposed to blasts or other loud noises that impact hearing. He has also demonstrated a passion for connecting undergraduate (and even high school students) with high-level research.

Urlacher, an associate professor of anthropology at Baylor, studies global variations in human biology and health, a focus that has taken him around the world to study how children use calories, and the ways that distinct experiences and economics impact metabolism. He earned the Michael A. Little Early Career Award from the Human Biology Association in 2024, and his work has been featured in popular media like Good Morning America and The New York Times. He also has regularly taken his research to students outside of his own lab to spark an interest in science.

With their recognition this year, Simmons and Urlacher have doubled Baylor’s total of AAAS Fellows. Dr. Bryan Brooks, distinguished professor of environmental science and biomedical studies, and Dr. Julie Hoggarth, associate professor of anthropology, were each recognized by the AAAS in the last five years. Along with other faculty who have earned elite fellowships in other disciplines, their honors are another reminder that Baylor students are blessed to learn from some elite and innovative professors — individuals making a difference globally while remaining focused on teaching and mentorship close to home.

Sic ’em, Dr. Simmons and Dr. Urlacher!