Since 1886, the National Academy of Sciences has honored outstanding achievement in the physical, biological, and social sciences through its awards program. This annual awards ceremony honored the major contributions made by the 21 researchers below, including an address by 2024 Public Welfare Medalist Nancy Hopkins. The annual Cozzarelli Prize acknowledges papers that reflect scientific…

Six new members presented their research and answered questions from the audience.   Origins of Drugs that Slow Neurodegeneration Jeffery W. Kelly, Lita Annenberg Hazen Professor of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute In 2010 there were no regulatory agency approved drugs that slowed neurodegeneration associated with human amyloid diseases. A year later our drug for…

Much of the conversation we hear today about Artificial Intelligence (AI) focuses on fears concerning loss of privacy, lack of transparency and accountability, increase in inequality, and other social and economic issues. The widespread availability of generative AI is fueling much of this debate. However, AI is more than just large language models, and in…

NAS President Marcia McNutt opened the annual meeting with her annual address to NAS members.

Members elected in 2023 were introduced to their colleagues in the Academy and signed the “Registry of Membership.” NAS membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their…