Julie M. Claycomb elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Julie M. Claycomb, professor and vice-chair in the department of molecular genetics in the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has been elected a 2025 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow.

Launched in 1874, AAAS fellowships represent a distinguished lifetime honour within the scientific community.

Claycomb's research is uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which small RNA pathways related to microRNAs and RNA interference regulate gene expression. She holds a strong interest in professional development in the biological sciences, and has led the charge to develop career education curricula for molecular genetics students. 

"Becoming an AAAS fellow alongside so many world-leading scientists is an honour and a recognition by the scientific community of the importance of my scientific contributions," said Claycomb, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Small RNA Biology. "It is also a moment for me to reflect on how central mentorship and teamwork are in this scientific endeavour, as many of the discoveries contributing to this recognition were made by the hardworking, creative and talented trainees in my lab over the years.

"I also recognize that those who have served as my mentors have played a role in guiding and helping me to reach this point in my career, especially because I grew up in a rural farming community, in which I did not know that becoming a scientist and professor were careers that I could pursue. I am grateful each day for the privilege of being a scientist and mentoring the next generation here at U of T and in my global scientific community." 

Read about the 2025 AAAS Fellows