National Academy of Sciences (NAS)

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is an honorific society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the advancement of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Academy membership is composed of approximately 2,350 members and 485 foreign associates, of whom nearly 190 have won Nobel Prizes. Members and foreign associates of the Academy are elected in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist or engineer.

Year	Faculty Name	Related Stories
2024	Diane Gifford-Gonzalez	Diane Gifford-Gonzalez elected to the National Academy of Sciences
2023	Emily E. Brodsky	Geoscientist Emily Brodsky elected to the National Academy of Sciences
2020	Francis Nimmo	Planetary scientist Francis Nimmo elected to National Academy of SciencesPlanetary scientist Francis Nimmo honored by Royal Astronomical SocietyPlanetary scientist Francis Nimmo awarded 2018 Farinella Prize
2019	Michael Dine	Physics Faculty PageTwo UC Santa Cruz professors elected to the National Academy of Sciences
2019	Susan Strome	Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Faculty PageTwo UC Santa Cruz professors elected to the National Academy of Sciences
2017	James Zachos	Earth and Planetary Sciences Faculty PageClimate scientist James Zachos elected to National Academy of SciencesEarth scientist James Zachos honored by European Geosciences UnionCurrent rate of carbon emissions is unprecedented in past 66 million years
2014	James Estes	Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Faculty PageTwo UCSC professors elected to National Academy of SciencesDecline of large carnivores creates dire environmental ripple effectLoss of large predators has caused widespread disruption of ecosystemsStudy shows how urchin-loving otters can help fight global warming
2014	Thorne Lay	Earth and Planetary Sciences Faculty PageTwo UCSC professors elected to National Academy of SciencesSeismologist Thorne Lay reflects on anniversary of Tohoku earthquakeStudy reveals complex rupture process in surprising 2012 Sumatra quakeSeismologist Thorne Lay elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences
2010	Gary Glatzmaier	Earth and Planetary Sciences Faculty PageEarth and planetary scientist Gary Glatzmaier elected to NAS1996 Sidney Fernbach Award Recipient Simulation of Magnetic Fields VideoGary Glatzmaier’s homepage
2008	Claire Max	Astronomy and Astrophysics Faculty PageAstronomer Claire Max elected to NASClaire Max receives 2004 E.O. Lawrence Award in PhysicsPrinceton awards Madison Medal to astronomer Claire MaxCfAO director Claire Max to receive Chabot Science Award
2006	David Haussler	Jack Baskin School of Engineering Faculty PageCenter for Biomolecular Science and Engineering Research David Haussler elected to the NAS Bioinformatics expert awarded Oxford’s Weldon Memorial PrizeUCSC professor to receive Carnegie Mellon’s Dickson PrizeHonored by International Society for Computational Biology
2006	Stanford Woosley	Astronomy and Astrophysics Faculty PageStanford Woosley’s homepageAstronomer Stanford Woosley to receive UCSC’s highest faculty honorWikipedia – Stanford Woosley
2006	Robert L. Coffman	Adjunct Professor Robert Coffman helps immunize millions
2003	Carol W. Greider	UC Santa Cruz Nobel laureate delves into the world of telomeres in Kraw Lecture
1992	Harry Noller	UCSC biologist Harry Noller honored by Paul Ehrlich FoundationHarry Noller wins 2007 Gairdner AwardBiochemist Harry Noller receives 2004 Massry PrizeWikipedia – Harry NollerHarry Noller wins award for Ribosome work
1985	Sandra Faber	Astronomy and Astrophysics Faculty PageWikipedia – Sandra Faber Astronomer to receive Franklin Institute’s prestigious Bower AwardSandra Faber awarded Harvard Centennial MedalFaber among Silicon Valley’s ‘Women of Influence’Profile of astronomer Sandra Faber wins Emmy awardAstronomer profiled on KTEH
All-Time
2007	Robert Edgar	In Memoriam: Robert S. Edgar (1930-2016)UCSC biologist Robert Edgar elected to NAS
2005	Marcia McNutt	McNutt to be nominated as director of U.S. Geological SurveyWikipedia – Marcia McNuttOceangoing geophysicistMcNutt to head USGSUCSC professors named among top 50 women in science
1996	Jerry Nelson	Astronomer Jerry Nelson, pioneering designer of large telescopes, dies at age 73President Obama meets astronomer Jerry Nelson Jerry Nelson wins prestigious Kavli Prize in AstrophysicsJerry Nelson receives Kavli Prize at ceremony in Oslo, NorwayAstronomer Jerry Nelson to receive 2012 Franklin Medal
1986	Richard Musgrave	Renowned pioneer of public financeBiography – Richard Musgrave
1972	Frank Drake	Astronomy and Astrophysics Faculty PageWikipedia – Frank DrakeSETI Institute
1971	Robert Kraft	Robert P. Kraft, eminent astronomer and former director of UC Observatories, dies at age 87Astronomical Society of the Pacific awards highest honor
1969	Harry Beevers	Eminent plant physiologist The work of Harry BeeversPlant physiology expert
1967	Robert Sinsheimer	Pioneering biologist Robert L. Sinsheimer dies at age 97Biography – Robert SinsheimerUniversity Library Interview with Robert SinsheimerA database of genomes interview
1966	Donald Osterbrock	Eminent astronomer and former director of Lick Observatory Professor updates classic astrophysics book Wikipedia – Donald Osterbrock Oral History Transcript
1965	Terrell Hill	Biography – Terrell Hill
1964	George Herbig	George H. Herbig (1920-2013)The Bruce Medalists – George Herbig Wikipedia – George Herbig
1964	Aaron C. Waters	Waters Award for Graduate StudentsNew York Times obituaryBiographical Memoir (pdf)
1954	Albert Whitford	Eminent astronomer and former director of Lick ObservatoryOral History TranscriptWikipedia – Albert Whitford
1953	George Hammond	In Memoriam: George S. HammondBiography of George S. Hammond (pdf)
1948	Kenneth V. Thimann	Kenneth V. Thimann, founding provost of Crown CollegeNew York Times obituaryKenneth V. Thimann: Early UCSC History and the Founding of Crown College