Gallatin and NYU-Poly professor Myles Jackson was recognized last month for his commitment to research in biology and technology.
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Jackson was recognized by the internationally known German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.
Jackson, who joined NYU in 2007, has been honored as a new member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, an international association of scientists that includes Marie Curie, Albert Einstein and other established figures.
"[Jackson] is exceptionally creative and stands out due to a remarkable combination of capacity for technical analysis with subtle attention to context. He is among the finest analysts of German science anywhere," said Manuela Bank, deputy head of Press and Public Relations for the Leopoldina Academy.
Founded in 1652, Leopoldina is based in Halle, Germany, and includes over 1,000 members — all of whom have been elected to the Academy. In addition to conducting individual research, the members work together to identify and publish reports on societal issues.
In the Academy, Jackson hopes to strengthen scientific relations between the United States and Germany and intends to organize conferences where colleagues and students from both countries exchange ideas for research.
Though Jackson will be away as a visiting professor at the California Institute of Technology teaching a course called Biology and Society this semester, he is currently developing a cross-school minor at NYU called Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine Studies.
Jackson and a committee of professors from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, the College of Arts and Science, the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, and the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, presented a report to associate provost Richard Foley in May 2011, which is currently pending approval. If all goes accordingly, it will be offered for the first time in the fall of 2012.
Gallatin senior and Jackson's former student Sam Galison said instead of becoming caught up in the bureaucracies and trivialities of running a class, Jackson focused much of his energy on structuring an effective curriculum.
"Because of his shifting experience — molecular biology to history of science to music to social impact and bioethics — he has an immense knowledge base, which he is always eager to share," Galison said. "At once self-deprecating and bitingly critical, he approaches his own work and the work of his students with an admirable blend of respect, understanding, critique and humor."
Gallatin professor Matt Stanley said he was excited to work with Jackson when he was hired by NYU.
"In the history of science, his work is ground-breaking and innovative across a number of fields," Stanley said. "Not many people can be an unqualified expert on physics, glass manufacture, musical instrument design and the legal status of artificial life forms."
Stanley added, "He's famous for keeping everybody happy. He makes his students crème brûlée and once offered me a beer right before a big presentation."
