Prof. Irving Epstein (CHEM) has been recognized as a Massachusetts Academy of Sciences Fellow for his professional achievements and his contributions to the science community.

Each year the MAS awardees "constitute a select and prestigious community of scientists, engineers, research physicians, and others deeply concerned about science and science education," according to the Academy's website.

According to the MAS website, the organization's mission is "to promote public understanding and appreciation of the sciences, to support scientific research and education in areas relevant to the needs of the state, and to provide consultative or advisory services on matters of science to the Governor, and to local, state, and federal agencies."

Fellows are elected by the Board of Governors' and are nominated by a leading scientist or science educator in their field, the website states. Epstein was nominated by Prof. Eve Marder (BIOL), who is also a MAS fellow.

"Irv Epstein has been ... an international leader in the field of oscillating chemical reactions for many, many years, and so his work has sort of led the whole field of oscillating chemical reactions, and it was exactly for that reason that I thought it was meritorious," Marder said in an interview with the Justice.

According to his profile on the Life Sciences at Brandeis website, Epstein's research focuses on "oscillatory chemical reactions, spatial pattern formation, dynamical systems and neurobiology."

In an interview with the Justice, Epstein said that he is joining an "interesting group of fellows," which includes five Nobel laureates; astronaut Catherine Coleman; and Dr. Bill Nye, host of television series Bill Nye the Science Guy.

When looking ahead to working with the Academy, he expressed excitement about their "[initiative] ... to make science more accessible to the general public."

Epstein joins three MAS fellows from Brandeis; in addition toMarder, previous awardees include Prof. Carolyn Cohen (BIOL) and Prof. Jeffrey Hall (BIOL).

-Allyson Cartter