Geoffrey W. Abbott, PhD, Named AAAS Fellow

The American Association for the Advancement of Science elected Geoffrey W. Abbott, PhD, into its 2026 class of AAAS Fellows, recognizing his groundbreaking research into potassium ion channels.

On March 26, 2026, UC Irvine announced that seven faculty members had been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Among this small group of distinguished scientists, engineers and innovators is Geoffrey W. Abbott, PhD, vice dean of basic science research and academic affairs in UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.

“It’s an honor to be named,” says Abbott, a professor of physiology and biophysics known for exploring the secrets of herbal medicine and asking questions such as, “How might rosemary help treat neurological disorders?”

In being named an AAAS fellow, Abbott was recognized for his lab’s groundbreaking discovery that neurotransmitters can directly regulate potassium channels, as well as for research into how plant metabolites could help identify new treatment options for epilepsy, high blood pressure and inherited movement disorders.

“We study a class of proteins called potassium channels, which generate and coordinate electrical activity in the body, including thought, movement, muscular contraction and the heartbeat,” says Abbott. Researchers in the Abbott Bioelectricity Laboratory are focused on gaining a better understanding of proteins that contribute to bioelectricity and the development of channel-targeted therapies.

“First of all, you gain an understanding of the normal physiological processes, but secondarily, you can leverage that understanding for therapeutic insights, potentially managing or treating diseases caused by potassium channel dysfunction,” says Abbott.

One such disease is the inherited movement disorder Episodic Ataxia Type 1, and his lab’s research into Ataxia shows promise in identifying mechanisms for restoring function. “We discovered small molecules that were able to rescue the activity of potassium channels containing sequence variants known to cause ataxia,” explains Abbott. “This gives us a better understanding of how one could develop treatments.”

As vice dean of basic science research, Abbott is not only conducting his own groundbreaking work but also helping to ensure others have the support and resources they need to make their own scientific breakthroughs.

“The pillars of the School of Medicine and UCI Health are “Discover, Teach, Heal,” and my role is to support the discovery side,” says Abbott. “I am fortunate to work with a team of highly dedicated people to help ensure basic science researchers have what they need to succeed, including lab space, grant support, equipment and other infrastructure.”

Abbott also wants to acknowledge the much larger team behind his AAAS recognition. “Over the years, you get excited by the discoveries you and your lab members make, and it’s the people that you train and who conduct most of the research that enable such an honor to be bestowed,” he says. “This is a really nice acknowledgement of everyone’s hard work.”

— Shani Murray