WASHINGTON (November 6, 2007) — The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has elected Lisbeth Gronlund, co-director of the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) Global Security Program, to the rank of fellow. The organization recognized Gronlund "for using sound science to advance nuclear non-proliferation and for bringing clarity to national debates on missile defense."

AAAS members nominate and elect fellows each year to reward them for "meritorious efforts to advance science or its applications," according to the organization's Web site.

James McCarthy, president-elect of AAAS and a UCS board member, praised Gronlund for her work. "Lisbeth has shown the importance of independent, thorough and insightful analysis of the science that underlies important policy issues relating to national security," he said, "and by her example fellow scientists are encouraged to become involved in these issues." McCarthy is the Alexander Agassiz professor of biological oceanography at Harvard University.

Kurt Gottfried, UCS chairman and cofounder, mentored Gronlund early in her career. He said her work speaks to the role of science in public policy. "Too often in global security matters, potentially dangerous, multibillion-dollar programs are put into action without proper scientific analysis. Lisbeth has tirelessly worked to educate policy makers and the public on the latest science related to missile defense and nuclear weapons." Gottfried is professor emeritus of physics at Cornell University.

Gronlund, who is also a research affiliate in the Program on Science, Technology, and Society at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, holds a doctorate in theoretical physics from Cornell University. She has published widely in scientific and policy journals, given numerous talks about nuclear arms control and missile defense policy to both lay and expert audiences, and testified before Congress.

In addition, she helped establish and is a primary organizer of the annual International Summer Symposium on Science and World Affairs, which brings together some 40 young scientists working on international security issues from different countries. These meetings help foster a new generation of independent scientists with expertise in arms control and security issues and create an international community of technical researchers.