Dr. Maria J. Harrison has been elected as a fellow to the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) for her outstanding contributions in the field. The Academy is a branch of the world’s oldest and largest life science organization, the American Society of Microbiology (ASM), and has provided professional and ethical resources for microbiologists since 1955.

“I am delighted that our contributions to the field have been recognized. Much of the credit is due to the members of my laboratory who played a major role in our discoveries,” stated Harrison when asked about the honor.

Harrison’s research focuses on the relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plants, with emphasis on phosphate transport, signaling, and phosphate nutrition. Her research aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which AM fungi form symbiotic associations with plants and the basis of symbiotic mineral nutrient transport. Harrison aided in the establishment of Medicago truncatula as a model host plant and developed resources for studies of AM symbiosis. She will be recognized for her recent fellowship at the 113th ASM General Meeting in Denver on May 21, 2013.