Overview
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars. Established by an Act of Congress, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the NAS for outstanding contributions to research. The NAS is committed to furthering science in America, and its members are active contributors to the international scientific community. Approximately 500 current and deceased members of the NAS have won Nobel Prizes, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, founded in 1914, is today one of the premier international journals publishing the results of original research.
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM, formerly the Institute of Medicine) -- were founded under the NAS charter in 1964 and 1970, respectively. The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions.
Learn more at the NAS website.
Michigan State University Elected Members of the National Academy
National Academy of Sciences
Christoph Benning, University Distinguished Professor and MSU Research Foundation Professor, Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Plant Biology
NAS Primary Section: Plant Biology, 2025
Dean Della Penna, University Distinguished Professor, MSU Research Foundation Professor
NAS Primary Section: Plant Biology 2021
Thomas Dietz, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Sociology, Environmental Science and Policy,
NAS Primary Section: Environmental Sciences and Ecology, 2024
Pamela J. Fraker, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
NAS Primary Section: Animal, Nutritional, and Applied Microbial Sciences, 2007
Gregg Howe, University Distinguished Professor, MSU Research Foundation Professor, MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and MSU AgBio Research.
NAS Primary Section: Plant Biology, 2020
Kenneth Keegstra, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Biology, MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory
NAS Primary Section: Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and Plant Biology, 2014
Richard E. Lenski, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
NAS Primary Section: Evolutionary Biology, 2006
Jianguo (Jack) Liu, Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability and University Distinguished Professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
NAS Primary Section: Human Environmental Sciences, 2025
Emilio F. Moran, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor, Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences
NAS Primary Section: Human Environmental Sciences and Anthropology, 2010
G. Philip Robertson, University Distinguished Professor of Ecosystem Science with the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
NAS Primary Section: Plant Biology, 2025
Douglas Schemske, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Biology
NAS Primary Section: Plant Biology, 2017
Michael F. Thomashow, University Distinguished Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory
NAS Primary Section: Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and Plant Biology, 2003
James M. Tiedje, University Distinguished Professor, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
NAS Primary Section: Environmental Sciences and Ecology, 2003
National Academy of Engineering
Election to National Academy of Engineering membership is one of the highest professional honors accorded an engineer. Members have distinguished themselves in business and academic management, in technical positions, as university faculty, and as leaders in government and private engineering organizations.
Linos J. Jacovides, Professor Emeritus, Electrical & Computer Engineering, 2011
Anil K. Jain, University Distinguished Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, 2016
Joan B. Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research, 2011
Rodney J. Tabaczynski, Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering, 2002
National Academy of Medicine
Founded in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is one of three academies that make up the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) in the United States. Operating under the 1863 Congressional charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academies are private, nonprofit institutions that work outside of government to provide objective advice on matters of science, technology, and health.
Teresa K. Woodruff, MSU President Emerita, MSU Research Foundation Professor
Reproductive Medicine, 2018