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 2025 Beth Shapiro Acclaimed evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro elected to National Academy of Sciences 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 Sciences 2019 Michael Dine and Susan Strome Two UC Santa Cruz professors elected to the National Academy of Sciences 2017 James Zachos Climate scientist James Zachos elected to National Academy of Sciences 2014 James Estes and Thorne Lay Two UCSC professors elected to National Academy of Sciences 2010 Gary Glatzmaier Earth and planetary scientist Gary Glatzmaier elected to NAS 2008 Claire Max Astronomer Claire Max elected to NAS 2006 David Haussler and Stanford Woosley Two UCSC faculty members elected to National Academy of Sciences 2006 Robert L. Coffman 2003 Carol W. Greider Eminent biologist Carol Greider to join UC Santa Cruz faculty (mentions membership)1992 Harry Noller UCSC biologist Harry Noller honored by Paul Ehrlich Foundation (mentions membership)1985 Sandra Faber Sandra Faber awarded Harvard Centennial Medal (mentions membership)All-time 2007 Robert Edgar UCSC biologist Robert Edgar elected to NAS 2005 Marcia McNutt 1996 Jerry Nelson Astronomer Jerry Nelson, pioneering designer of large telescopes, dies at age 73 1986 Richard Musgrave Richard Musgrave, renowned pioneer of public finance, dies at 96 1972 Frank Drake Pioneering radio astronomer Frank Drake dies at 92 1971 Robert Kraft Robert P. Kraft, eminent astronomer and former director of UC Observatories, dies at age 87 1969 Harry Beevers Harry Beevers, eminent plant physiologist, dies at 80 1967 Robert Sinsheimer Pioneering biologist Robert L. Sinsheimer dies at age 97 1966 Donald Osterbrock Donald Osterbrock, eminent astronomer and former director of Lick Observatory, dies at age 82 1965 Terrell Hill 1964 George Herbig 1964 Aaron C. Waters 1963 George Hammond In Memoriam: George S. Hammond 1954 Albert Whitford Albert Whitford, eminent astronomer and former director of Lick Observatory, dies at 96 1948 Kenneth V. Thimann Kenneth Thimann, 92, Pioneer in Research on Plant Growth