Michael Neff, WSU’s Washington Turfgrass Seed Commission Professor, is one of two Washington State University faculty members in this year’s class of new fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Michael Court, an emeritus professor with the College of Veterinary Medicine, is the other WSU professor among those announced today as 2025 AAAS Fellows.
Elected individuals play a critical role in shaping public policy, advancing scientific research, and influencing global perspectives on critical issues.
Since 2010, more than 30 academics affiliated with WSU have been selected as AAAS Fellows.
A prolific researcher within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Neff’s studies plant responses to the environment leading to changes in growth and development. A molecular geneticist by trade, Neff came to WSU almost two decades ago to a new position in crop biotechnology and also led the Molecular Plant Sciences PhD program for fourteen years. Twelve years ago, Neff started breeding grasses and has since played a key role in the turfgrass industry.
Court was recognized by the AAAS for his contributions to comparative pharmacogenetics, particularly his work translating discoveries about the genetic mechanisms underlying adverse drug reactions in veterinary patients to benefit human health. Neff was selected for his research in plant biology and his contributions to the development of commercial grass and turf.
“This recognition highlights the meaningful scientific contributions being made every day at WSU,” noted Vice President for Research Kim Christen. “Professors Court and Neff have each advanced their fields in ways that resonate far beyond the university, strengthening our mission to pursue research that addresses real-world challenges.”
In addition to serving as the Dr. William R. Jones Endowed Chair within the College of Veterinary Medicine from 2012–25, Court was a researcher in the Program in Individualized Medicine and a principal investigator of the Pharmacogenomics Laboratory. Though he is retired from the university, Court continues to support the College of Veterinary Medicine through his efforts to commercialize a genetic test for drug treatment of a bleeding disorder in dogs that he developed and patented. He also serves on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Science Board.
AAAS named its first fellows in 1874 and continues to honor those foremost authorities in the scientific community every year. The 2025 AAAS Fellows have also been invited to the annual Fellows Forum, which takes place this year on May 29 in Washington, D.C.
More information on AAAS Fellows, including a list of historic fellows, is available on the organization’s website.