American Association for the Advancement of Science

AAAS ENGINEERING SECTION M

The Engineering Section of AAAS is one of 24 disciplinary sections of AAAS. Currently (2023) more than 5,000 AAAS members have chosen Engineering as their primary Section, more than 2,500 members have chosen Engineering as their secondary Section, and more than 2,200 members have chosen Engineering as their tertiary Section.

Activities of the Engineering Section

A major activity of Section M is the development of symposia on engineering topics to be presented at the AAAS Annual Meeting which is typically held in February-March of every year. This effort is consistent with the view of most engineering members that the Association is an outstanding medium for the creation of an effective bond between science and engineering. The Annual Meeting provides a forum in which engineers have an opportunity to help scientists and the general public (due to the outstanding coverage of the meeting by the media) stay abreast of the latest in technology. Conversely, the meeting gives engineers an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in science, science education and public policy relating to technology and science.

Over the years Section M has sponsored many outstanding symposia at AAAS Annual Meeting. The ideas and proposals for these symposia have come from many section members, but largely from members who were present at the business meetings.

Another important function of the Section is the nomination by the Steering Group of candidates for election to the Grade of Fellow of AAAS (see FELLOWS in AAAS ). Nominations are made following the AAAS Annual Meeting, and elections of nominees by the AAAS Council takes place in November. All Section members are urged to submit suggestions for nominees to any member of the Steering Group (names and addresses listed below). Nominations may also be made by any group of three AAAS Fellows.

AAAS Section on Engineering (M) Steering Group

The section steering committee comprises the secretary, chair, council member, nominations/leadership development chair, membership engagement chair, early career representative, non-academic representative and two members-at-large.

Chair

Jennifer L. West (2025)

University of Virginia

Secretary 

Marwan Simaan (2026)

University of Central Florida

Council   

Steven M. Cramer (2025)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Early-Career Representative

Samantha McBride (2026)

University of Pennsylvania

Nominations and Leadership Development Chair  

Laura A. Albert (2026)

University of Wisconsin-Madison 

Non-Academic Representative 

Sankar Basu (2025)

National Science Foundation (serving in personal capacity)

Membership Engagement Chair 

Norma Alcantar (2026)

University of South Florida

Members-at-Large 

Burcu Akinci (2025)

Carnegie Mellon University

Jennifer Curtis (2024)

University of California, Davis

Note: Terms end on December 31 in the year given in parentheses