Malin M. Young, a biochemist who leads PNNL's science and technology strategy, has been elected to the rank of fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  AAAS is the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society which seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people." The designation of fellow is the society's highest honor.

Young was elected in the biological sciences section for contributions to computational biology and leadership in developing and executing research and development strategies and programs in national security and energy.

Young oversees PNNL's science and technology capabilities to address critical challenges in science, energy, the environment and national security. Young manages PNNL's institutional science and technology investments, strategic partnerships, business capture and proposal management, technology commercialization and the Office of Research Integrity.

In nominating Young, her peers noted that she is passionate about science and translating it into societal impact, and they pointed to her strong leadership skills and ability to form strategic alliances that have enabled her to advance science over a distinguished career.

Young currently serves on the executive committee of the National Laboratory Chief Research Officers and holds leaderships roles in several other scientific and technical bodies.

Young is the former director of the Biological and Engineering Sciences Center at DOE's Sandia National Laboratories' Livermore, Calif. campus. She is an expert in rational drug design, bioinformatics, mass-spectrometry data analysis, and protein-structure prediction and modeling. Young has published more than 30 peer-reviewed papers and has three patents.

Young — a Redmond, Washington native — earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in genetics from Oregon State University in Corvallis, and a doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of California, San Francisco.  

AAAS is the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of cutting-edge research through its Science family of journals. AAAS has individual members in more than 91 countries around the globe. The organization's council annually elects members whose "efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications are scientifically or socially distinguished." Election as an AAAS fellow is determined by peer reviewers. Fellows are honored for "meritorious efforts to advance science or its applications." AAAS began honoring its distinguished members with the title of fellow in 1874.

PNNL now has 27 active staff members who hold the rank of AAAS fellow. Young will be recognized with the rest of the 2018 class of fellows at the AAAS annual meeting in Washington, D.C. in February.