Cheung Named 2013 American Physical Society Fellow


Selection Recognizes Outstanding Contributions to Physics

APS FellowMargaret Cheung, associate professor of physics in University of Houston’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS).

The APS has more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories and industry in the United States and throughout the world. APS Fellows are selected for their exceptional contributions to physics, and election is limited to no more than one half of one percent of the membership.

Margaret CheungCheung’s research group at UH studies the behavior of biological molecules in cells using physics theories, modeling and computer simulations.

Presentation of Cheung’s APS Fellowship Certificate will occur in March 2014 at the annual meeting of the APS Division of Biological Physics. The citation will read:

“For her contributions to modeling and simulations necessary to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the folding, structure and function of protein in a cellular environment.”

Her nomination was recommended by the APS Division of Biological Physics, which is composed of individuals who are interested in the study of biological phenomena using physical techniques.

“It is entirely appropriate that Margaret Cheung's highly creative research be recognized through the APS Fellowship. However, she is not only a superb scientist; she performs her other duties diligently as well,” said Gemunu Gunaratne, chair of UH’s Department of Physics.

“Dr. Cheung participates in developing new approaches for undergraduate education and is an active member of several departmental committees. She also impacts physics education in local schools as the principal investigator of a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board-funded program to introduce new teaching tools to Houston-area high school teachers.”

Cheung is the only UH faculty member in the 2013 class of APS Fellows.

- Kathy Major, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics