James J Cochran, professor of statistics in the Department of Information Systems, Statistics, & Management Science, was honored as a distinguished Fellow of the African Academy of the Sciences by The African Academy of the Sciences.
AAS Fellows are recognized for outstanding contributions to the advancement of science and their role in shaping policies that drive sustainable development across the continent. The election of 88 new AAS Fellows (which represent the Class of 2023 and 2024) on March 29 expands the Academy’s network of leading scientists, enhancing its capacity to foster knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and collaboration to drive impactful research in Africa.
“The African Academy of Sciences does great work, and the colleagues the AAS has recognized as Fellows are very impressive with many important and noteworthy accomplishments,” Cochran said. “To be included among them as a Fellow of the AAS is a tremendous honor.”
The AAS considers 10 categories/disciplines, and Cochran was the only AAS Fellow in the class selected in mathematical sciences. Only six US scientists had received AAS Fellow designation before the 2023 and 2024 classes were named.
These distinguished scholars, elected through a rigorous and merit-based process, have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields and have significantly contributed to the advancement of science, technology, and scholarship in Africa and globally.