National Academy of Sciences Adds Harvard faculty, alumni

Eleven faculty members and 11 alumni are honored.

New NAS members Andrew W. Murray, Jeff W. Lichtman, and Vamsi K. Mootha

Recognizing their “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research,” the National Academy of Sciences on April 29 announced the election of 84 new members, 11 of them from Harvard’s faculties of arts and sciences and of medicine.

Joining the academy from Harvard Medical School are:

  • Bruce P. Bean ’73, Winthrop professor of neurobiology;
  • Emery N. Brown ’78, M.D. ’87, Ph.D. ’88, Zapol professor of anaesthesia, who is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital;
  • Timothy J. Mitchison, Sabbagh professor of systems biology;
  • Vamsi K. Mootha, M.D. ’98, professor of systems biology and of medicine, who is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital; and
  • Martin R. Pollak, professor of medicine, who is affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

The new members from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences are:

Visit Harvard Magazine’s archives to find articles about economist Katz’s research with his frequent collaborator, Lee professor of economics Claudia Goldin, on career choice and quality of life issues; biologist Lichtman’s work involving optical microscopy and neural synapses; and short profiles of biologist Mitchison and Murray.

Eleven alumni were also newly elected to the academy. They are:

  • Peter Bearman, Ph.D. ’85, Cole professor of the social sciences at Columbia;
  • Dale L. Boger, Ph.D. ’80, Cramer professor of chemistry at The Scripps Research Institute;
  • Eric A. D’Asaro ’76, S.M. ’76, senior principal oceanographer and professor of oceanography at University of Washington, Seattle;
  • Gregory C. Fu, Ph.D. ’91, Altair professor of chemistry, California Institute of Technology;
  • Samuel H. Gellman ’81, Hirschmann professor of chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison;
  • Timothy L. Grove, Ph.D. ’76, professor, department of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
  • Benjamin D. Hall, Ph.D. ’59, emeritus professor of biology and genome sciences, University of Washington, Seattle;
  • Michael N. Hall, Ph.D. ’81, professor, Biozentrum, University of Basel;
  • John Preskill, Ph.D. ’80, Feynman professor of theoretical physics, California Institute of Technology;
  • Joseph Silk, Ph.D. ’68, HomeWood professor, Johns Hopkins University, and professor, Institut d’Astrophysique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris; and
  • Montgomery W. Slatkin, Gompertz professor of integrative biology, University of California, Berkeley.

You might also like

A History of Harvard Magazine

Harvard’s independent alumni magazine—at 127 years old 

Harvard Announces Four University Professors

Catherine Dulac, Noah Feldman, Claudia Goldin, and Cumrun Vafa receive the University’s highest faculty distinction.

Creepy Crawlies and Sticky Murder Weapons at Harvard

In the shadows of Singapore’s forests, an ancient predator lies in wait—the velvet worm.

Most popular

Harvard Institute of Politics Director Setti Warren Dies at 55

The former Newton mayor is remembered as “a visionary and tireless leader” by the University community. 

What Trump Means for John Roberts’s Legacy

Executive power is on the docket at the Supreme Court.

Explore More From Current Issue

A man in a gray suit sits confidently in a vintage armchair, holding a glass.

The Life of a Harvard Spy

Richard Skeffington Welch’s illustrious—and clandestine—career in the CIA

Professor David Liu smiles while sitting at a desk with colorful lanterns and a figurine in the background.

This Harvard Scientist Is Changing the Future of Genetic Diseases

David Liu has pioneered breakthroughs in gene editing, creating new therapies that may lead to cures.

A lively concert in a modern auditorium with an audience seated on multiple levels.

Concerts and Carols at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Tuning into one of Boston's best chamber music halls