Aaron Levine, associate dean for research and outreach in the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific society.
Levine is one of 502 people named to the AAAS Fellows Class of 2023, an honor the society has been awarding scientists, engineers, and innovators since 1874 for achievements and efforts on behalf of the advancement of science and its applications. AAAS Fellows are recognized for outstanding contributions to research, teaching, technology, and science communication.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from an organization that has supported and inspired me since I joined as a graduate student in 2006,” said Levine. “I am also encouraged by this acknowledgement that policy and ethics play a key role in bringing groundbreaking biomedical technologies to the people who need them.”
The organization chose Levine, who is also a professor in the School of Public Policy, for his contributions to biomedical research policy — including advancing understanding of how policy debates influence contentious areas of research. His work is at the intersection of ethics, policy, and biomedical research.
“I first became interested in bioethics and science policy while working on the human genome project and witnessing the ethical and policy issues that arose,” said Levine. “I believe addressing societal issues associated with emerging biomedical technologies is critical for these advances to reach their full potential.”
Levine’s work focuses on the development and oversight of biomedical research and health care areas such as stem cell treatments, assisted reproductive technology, fetal tissue research, and CRISPR.
The author of Cloning: A Beginner’s Guide, an accessible introduction to the science of cloning and the ethical and policy controversies this science inspires, Levine also has a longstanding interest in science communication. He was a member of the 2019-20 cohort of AAAS’ Alan I. Leshner Leadership Institute Public Engagement Fellows.
In addition to his duties in the School and College, Levine also leads ethics and policy research for the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT). From 2017 to 2022, he served as CMaT’s co-director for engineering workforce development, helping guide efforts to produce a diverse, well-trained workforce for the biomanufacturing industry.
Levine holds a Ph.D. in public affairs from Princeton University and a master of philosophy from the University of Cambridge, where he was a Churchill Scholar. He earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar.
