Neil H. Shubin, Robert R. Bensley Distinguished Service Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy and vice dean for academic advancement at the University of Chicago, has been elected as the next president of the National Academy of Sciences.

“I am honored to be elected to lead the National Academy of Sciences at a time when its tradition of objective, nonpartisan counsel — offered in service to the country for over 160 years — is increasingly vital to advance the health, security, and prosperity of our nation,” said Shubin.

The Academy has also elected Cherry Murray as International Secretary and Naomi J. Halas, Susan Marqusee, Diana C. Mutz, and David A. Tirrell as councilors.

(Photo courtesy of Christopher Michel)

NAS Member Receives the 2026 Craaford Prize in Geosciences

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced that the 2026 Craaford Prize in Geosciences is awarded to NAS member Veerabhadran Ramanathan for fundamental contributions to our understanding of how aerosol particles and other climate pollutants influence the atmospheric energy balance and the Earth system. “He has expanded our view of how humankind is affecting…


Francis Collins to Receive Public Welfare Medal — Academy’s Most Prestigious Award

The National Academy of Sciences is presenting its 2026 Public Welfare Medal to Francis S. Collins, former director, National Institutes of Health (NIH), for his pioneering research in human genetics and critical contributions to public welfare as the leader of the Human Genome Project. Collins’ scientific and public service career has advanced understanding of human…


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James Craig Watson Medal

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Richard Lounsbery Award

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