McClure Center Director Katherine E. Himes named 2025 AAAS fellow

BOISE, Idaho — Katherine E. Himes, director of the McClure Center for Public Policy Research at University of Idaho, has been named a 2025 fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

The national honor recognizes Himes for her “distinguished contributions to international science diplomacy and state policy development, particularly for founding the first science policy fellowship program in Idaho and maintaining its support among bipartisan policymakers,” according to AAAS.

“Being recognized by AAAS in this way is deeply meaningful to me,” Himes said. “I am proud to have used my technical expertise in a way that supports public service, strengthens policymaking and builds trust across party lines in Idaho and beyond.”

Himes joined U of I’s McClure Center in 2017 as its fifth director. She founded the Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship (ISTPF), a partnership among Idaho’s three public research universities, which brings highly trained scientists and engineers into state government to serve in executive and legislative offices. Since its launch in 2020, the program has had 11 fellows who have cultivated technical expertise in state policymaking, fostered public service careers and helped Idaho tackle challenges ranging from sage grouse management to rural STEM education to energy system planning.

“The success of the ISTPF relies on cultivating trust and collaboration with agencies and the Legislature,” Himes said. “Fellows serve as neutral, fact-based resources and that focus on objective information is valued by policymakers across the political spectrum. It’s been exciting to see scientists and engineers engaged in public service, applying their expertise to real-world challenges and contributing to executive and legislative processes in meaningful ways.”

Himes is among an exclusive group of researchers from U of I who have earned the honor of AAAS fellow. Only six others are in the group: Jean’ne M. Shreeve, who was inducted in 1980; Lisette Waits, 2017; Eva Top, 2021; Adam Jones, 2023; Christine Moffit, 2024; and Shirley Luckhart, 2024.  

“Katherine has built bridges between science and policy in Idaho, empowering decision makers in the state to make informed, evidence-based decisions,” U of I President Scott Green said. “Her leadership, vision and dedication to public service exemplify the kind of impact the University of Idaho has on communities in Idaho and across the world.”

Himes’ fellowship places her among an elite group of nearly 500 scientists, engineers and innovators elected in 2025 for their distinguished achievements in both scientific research and societal impact. She will receive the AAAS Fellow award at the annual AAAS Fellows Forum in Washington, D.C., in May.

AAAS, founded in 1848, is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals. Members are nominated for the rank of fellow by their peers and voted on by the AAAS leadership council. Election as a fellow is a lifetime honor, reflecting a career of exceptional achievement and professional integrity.

The McClure Center is based in Boise, across from the Idaho State Capitol. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/mcclure-center.

Media contact

Katherine Himes
Director, McClure Center
208-364-4549
katherinehimes@uidaho.edu