University of Virginia cell biologist Barry M. Gumbiner has been named a 2013 fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Election as a fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

Gumbiner, who chairs the Department of Cell Biology in the School of Medicine, was chosen for providing insights into the mechanisms and roles of cell-to-cell adhesion and signaling in development, physiology and pathology. His research looks into how cells communicate with each other and form tissues.

“Barry Gumbiner has led discoveries in cell biology which provide us with fundamental understanding of how living cells interact with each other,” said Thomas C. Skalak, U.Va. vice president for research. “Such interactions are the basis of life. The recognition by AAAS this year reflects Barry’s entire career, during which he has exhibited the highest levels of individual creativity and scholarship.”

The tradition of AAAS fellows began in 1874 and is regarded as a prestigious distinction among scientists.

This year, 388 AAAS members have been named fellows in honor of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. Their names recently were announced in the AAAS journal Science.

Gumbiner and the other new fellows will be presented with a certificate and a rosette pin Feb. 15 at the association’s annual meeting in Chicago.

Founded in 1848, AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and includes 262 affiliated societies and academies of science serving 10 million individuals.