Harvard Tops Newly Elected NAS Members List

On April 28 (local time), The National Academy of Sciences announced the election of 120 members and 25 international members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.

An analysis of the institutional affiliations of the 120 newly elected members shows that 106 members are affiliated with universities, representing a total of 46 institutions. University-affiliated members account for as much as 88% of the total, underscoring the dominant role of higher education institutions in this year’s election. (If a member has multiple affiliations, each institution is counted separately.)

Harvard University had the largest number of newly elected members this year, with 13 scholars elected in total, including six from Harvard Medical School, highlighting Harvard’s leadership in medical research. Princeton University and Stanford University each had eight scholars elected, also delivering outstanding results. University of California, Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Texas System recorded six, five, and four newly elected members, respectively.

In addition, four universities each had three members elected, 14 universities each had two members elected, and 22 universities each had one member elected.

Among the 25 newly elected international members, 21 are affiliated with universities, involving a total of 20 institutions. (If a member has multiple affiliations, each institution is counted separately.) Australian National University, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and University of Copenhagen each had two members elected. In terms of nationality, Australia had the highest representation, with five elected members.

About The National Academy of Sciences

National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress signed by Abraham Lincoln as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding contributions to research.

Election to the National Academy of Sciences recognizes distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is widely regarded as a mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can receive. The NAS currently has approximately 2,700 members and 500 international members, around 200 of whom have received Nobel Prizes.