The association elects fellows to recognize their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.

The three new fellows are Kenneth A. Jacobson and Terry R. Magnuson from the School of Medicine and Kenneth A. Bollen from the sociology department in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Jacobson, a professor in the department of cell and developmental biology, was honored by the association "for new insights into the domain structure of the living cell membrane and mechanisms of cell motility and for development of technologies to analyze these phenomena." His work focuses on how cell membranes are organized and the physical principles of how cells move.

Magnuson, chairman of the department of genetics and Sarah Graham Kenan professor and director of the Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, was recognized "for sustained and important contributions to mouse developmental genetics, including creating methodologies and strains for wide use, and identifying genes important for embryo development." His work focuses on the role of certain mammal genes in genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation and in tumor suppression.

Bollen is the H.R. Immerwahr Distinguished Professor of Sociology and director of the Odum Institute for Research in Social Science. The association cited him for his "important work on latent variable structural equation models and major contributions to liberal democracy studies and to social science measurement." Bollen has helped develop statistical models for analysing difficult-to-measure social science concepts such as socioeconomic status, and researched the determinants and measurement of political democracy.

Ryan Meyer graduated magna cum laude on Dec. 20 from the University of Missouri School of Journalism with a major in strategic communications and a minor in business. He will begin his masters degree studies at Missouri this month.

Stephan Moll of UNC recently received the first Medical and Scientific Leadership Award given by the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia (NATT).

Moll, an associate professor in the division of hematology and oncology in the UNC School of Medicine, received the award in recognition for his work as a co-founder of NATT. According to the NATT, Moll created the organization's Medical and Scientific Advocacy Board and "has fought tirelessly for the best interests of patients through education, treatment, advocacy and support."

The NATT is a patient-led, non-profit advocacy organization providing patient education and professional training on the signs, symptoms and prevention of blood clots and clotting disorders. NATT is in the process of establishing a North Carolina chapter. See nc.stoptheclot.org for more information.

A local LEGO robotics team won first prize for Innovative Solutions at the North Carolina FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) state tournament in Greensboro. The team is composed of mostly middle schoolers from McDougle and Smith -- Tommy Billman, Hastings Greer, Andrew Miller, Samuel Sisk -- plus one 4th grader from McDougle, Julia Sisk, and is coached by Bob and Susan Sisk and Tom Billman in Carrboro.

This year's challenge was called "Climate Connections," which had two main parts: robotics missions and a research project. The challenge missions in the robot field included exploring greenhouse gases, preserving wildlife, preparations for changing climate conditions, and gathering communities of people. For the research project, the teams had to identify a climate problem that was an issue for their local community and provide an innovative solution to that problem.

Carrboro's TeamTronix chose stormwater runoff as their climate issue, and prepared an article that was published in a Lake Gaston fishing club newsletter. Through this research, they became interested in rain gardens as a way to ameliorate the problem of stormwater runoff. They studied the topic, then prepared a poster and distributed a pamphlet about why rain gardens are important and how to build one.

The rain garden idea and the subsequent research and documentation work won the first-place award for Innovative Solution prize at the tournament. In addition, the team placed in the top 10 out of almost 70 teams in each of the three robot challenge runs.

Rachel Leeman-Munk, an Earlham College first-year and daughter of Jennifer Leeman and Tom Munk of Carrboro, performed during Earlham's Gospel Revelations Holiday Concert on Dec. 7 in Goddard Auditorium.

Leeman-Munk is a member of Earlham's Gospel Revelations.

Ariel Brestin, originally from Chapel Hill, is devoting 10 months to the AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a national service program created to improve the environment, enhance education, increase public safety, address unmet human needs and assist with disaster relief.

Brestin, assigned to the North Central Region campus in Vinton, Iowa, joined 140 other members in July 2008. Upon arriving at the campus members received an intensive four-week training which emphasized teamwork, leadership development, communication and service learning.

For the past five months, NCCC teams have served on 39 service learning projects in communities throughout the North Central Region. NCCC members have aided flood recovery efforts in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin; tutored and mentored youth; constructed safe and affordable housing; built and maintained miles of hiking trails in various parks and natural area; and assisted with disaster recovery efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Brestin, whose parents are Miriam and Scott Brestin, attended East Chapel Hill High School.

Roy Lindholm won first prize at the 16th Annual Chatham Studio Tour Opening Show, held at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro. Artist Jane Filer, who served as judge, named Lindholm the winner for his photograph, "Myrtle Beach II."

"You can just imagine so many stories when you look at this wonderful photo," Filer said.

Sally Rockriver won second place for "Birth of the Melt", a work in fused glass. Third place went to Martha Danek for her decorated gourd, "Everyone's Nest," and Joey Howell earned honorable mention for his painting, "Space Torch."

"This was a really difficult job," Filer said. "There are so many exceptional works of art in this show."

Julia Stephens, a 2004 graduate of Chapel Hill High School, eanred her Irish jump wings during Operation Toy Drop Jump at Forg Bragg.

She serves with the 82nd Airborne Division, and is the daughter of Kim and Annette Ringeisen of Chapel Hill.

Ted Blake, an employee of Orange Water and Sewer Authority, was honored by the OWASA Board of Directors for his 36 years of dedicated service.

The board formally expressed its appreciation by presenting a resolution honoring Blake, who has held various engineering and operational responsibilities with the community's utility systems.

He began his career in 1972, when UNC owned the local water system, and he has worked at OWASA since it began serving the community in February 1977.

Blake retired from OWASA on Dec. 1. He was born and raised in Carrboro and has lived in this area his entire life.

Please sends announcements and photos (optional) for Notable to Sheri Farmer at sfarmer@nando.com