Bruce Hungate, Regents’ professor of biological sciences at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and director of the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, has been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM).

Hungate was recognized with other newly elected AAM Fellows last month at the American Society for Microbiology's annual meeting.

The AAM is a prestigious leadership group of the American Society for Microbiology, the oldest and largest life science organization in the world. Fellows are elected through a selective, peer-review process based on achievements and contributions that have advanced microbiology.

“As a fellow of the AAM, Hungate will be part of the scientific leadership that shapes our national and global endeavors to protect the health of our citizens and of our environment,” Paul Keim, Cowden endowed chair in Microbiology at NAU, said. Keim said Hungate’s election to AAM is recognition of the global impact of his work, and it is also a great honor for NAU.

Hungate's grandfather helped him get his first summer job as a microbiologist. After receiving a Ph.D. in integrative biology from the University of California at Berkeley, Hungate worked on climate change projects at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as well as on nitrogen management and agricultural projects in Mexico City.

Hungate has co-authored more than 150 publications and his research results have been published in top scientific journals.

Hungate is co-founder of NAU’s master’s degree program in climate science and solutions. In 2004, he was selected as a Leopold Leadership Fellow, a competitive, prestigious fellowship program honoring 20 accomplished U.S. environmental scientists each year.