Two UTIA Faculty Members Elected as 2025 AAAS Fellows

Mar 30, 2026

Being elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science is one of the most prestigious honors a scientist can receive. The honor recognizes efforts across disciplines — including research, teaching and technology as well as leadership in academia and industry. In recognition of their extraordinary achievements, AAAS Fellows are elected to a lifetime appointment by their peers on the AAAS Council.

UT has shown sustained strength in AAAS Fellowship recognition, with multiple faculty members elected each year. The latest additions bring the university’s total number of AAAS Fellows to 103.

This year’s cohort includes two faculty members from the UT Institute of Agriculture’s Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science: Jennifer DeBruyn and Jie Zhuang.

Jennifer DeBruyn

A professor of environmental microbiology in UT’s Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science — which is ranked among the top agricultural and biological engineering graduate programs in the U.S. — DeBruyn studies how microbial communities break down organic materials from agricultural plastics to animal and human remains.

Source : tennessee.edu

Video: Do Cold Temps Impact Emerging Corn & Soybeans? | Pioneer Agronomy

A cold snap swept across west central Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, bringing frost, fog, and temperatures dipping into the 20s—raising urgent questions about early crop damage.

Pioneer Agronomist Eric Rice breaks down what those overnight temperatures could mean for emerged corn and soybeans, how to assess frost injury, and why patience is key before making any replant decisions. Learn the critical differences between corn and soybean growing points, what cosmetic vs. serious damage looks like, and how last week’s high winds may also be influencing what you’re seeing in the field.

Watch for:

• Frost thresholds for early-season crop damage

• Why corn may be more resilient than it looks

• Soybean growth stages and frost susceptibility

• How to evaluate brittle stems and discolored tissue

• Why waiting 4–5 days before assessing stand loss matters

• When to contact your local Pioneer agronomist or sales representative