By Olivia Trani 

Two professors at Virginia Commonwealth University have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science – a prestigious honor from the world’s leading general scientific society.

Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Biostatistics at VCU’s School of Public Health, was recognized for his contributions to the field of health data science, particularly oral epidemiology and cancer, as well as for his commitment to graduate education and his exemplary service to the profession. Bandyopadhyay also serves as senior advisor of data and cancer modeling at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Biostatistics Shared Resource.

Kenneth S. Kendler, M.D., a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at VCU’s School of Medicine, was recognized for his contributions to our understanding of the genetics of psychiatric disorders. Kendler is also the director of the Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics at VCU.

“The election of Drs. Bandyopadhyay and Kendler to the esteemed ranks of AAAS fellows is a testament to the exceptional caliber of research and scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University,” said P. Srirama Rao, Ph.D., vice president for research and innovation. “Their groundbreaking work in health data science and psychiatric genetics exemplifies VCU's commitment to advancing knowledge that lifts lives across the world. This prestigious recognition underscores the profound impact of their career-long dedication and could not be more well-deserved.”

A designation that dates back to 1874, AAAS fellows are recognized for their achievements across disciplines – from research, teaching and technology to administration in academia, industry and government, as well as to excellence in communicating and interpreting science to the public. Fellows are elected each year by the AAAS Council.

The AAAS Fellowship is a highly selective honor, as it recognizes not a single innovation but a career-long dedication. With this distinction, Bandyopadhyay and Kendler join a notable group of scholars and innovators who have significantly shaped (or are shaping) the future of science and society, such as inventor Thomas Edison; sociologist and activist W.E.B Du Bois; engineer-astronauts Mae Jemison and Ellen Ochoa; and computer scientist and mathematician Grace Hopper.

This year, 471 scientists, engineers and innovators will receive this lifetime honor. New fellows will be presented with a certificate and blue and gold rosette at the annual Fellows Forum in Washington, D.C,. on June 7.

Bandyopadhyay’s research is primarily focused on developing statistical models to advance public health dentistry, particularly to better understand the epidemiology of oral and craniofacial health issues. He has worked significantly in studying periodontal (gum) disease in Gullah African-American communities in the South Carolina sea islands. He also applies innovative statistical modeling to advance research in cancer, organ transplant epidemiology, substance abuse and alcohol addiction, medical imaging and neurological disorders.

Last fall, Bandyopadhyay was recognized as the Lowell Reed Lecturer of 2024 by the Applied Public Health Statistics Section of the American Public Health Association. Bandyopadhyay was also named the 2020 Gertrude M. Cox Lecturer, sponsored by the Washington Statistical Society (the largest and oldest chapter of the American Statistical Association) and RTI International.

“I am deeply grateful for the nurturing and stimulating environment I have received from VCU, the School of Public Health, the School of Medicine and the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center throughout my career,” Bandyopadhyay said. “The leadership, supportive colleagues in the Department of Biostatistics and Massey, and my network of national and international collaborators have all played a critical role in enabling me to make significant contributions to my field, and to be recognized as an AAAS fellow. I am proud to be a member of the VCU community and look forward to continuing my work here for many years to come.”

Kendler’s research focuses on how molecular genetics, coupled with environmental factors, impact a person’s risk for psychiatric issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use disorders. These investigations range from data collection on severe alcoholism in the United States to understanding how depression and anxiety relate to boundary disorders like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome. Kendler also serves as the co-principal investigator for the largest-ever population study examining the genetic variations that affect individuals’ risks for depression.

Kendler has long been among the five most-cited researchers in the field of psychiatry, and he achieved the No. 1 lifetime ranking from ScholarGPS in 2023. In 2011, he became only the second American psychiatrist to receive the World Psychiatric Association’s Jean Delay Prize, an award known as the Nobel Prize of psychiatry.

“I have long been a member of AAAS and am honored to be recognized by this historic organization,” Kendler said. “This award would not have been possible without the continued support of many people in the Psychiatry Department and School of Medicine and my many colleagues with whom I have worked with at the Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics.”

A version of this story was originally published by VCU News

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