USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

National Academy Members

National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 with the twin goals of promoting science for the benefit of the public and to provide independent counsel to the United States government on science and technology issues that affect policy decisions. Election to the Academy recognizes distinguished achievements in original scientific research and is widely considered one of the highest honors a scientist can receive. Only members are allowed to nominate scholars for election and successful nominations must pass an extensive and careful vetting process. Only 84 new members can be elected annually.

National Academy of Engineering
Under the authority of its charter, the National Academy of Sciences established the National Academy of Engineering in 1964. Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature" and to the "pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing and implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”

Institute of Medicine
Established in 1970 as the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine is an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public. Tasked with the responsibility to ask and answer the nation’s most pressing health questions, the Institute of Medicine is one of the country’s highest independent authorities on medicine, medical science and health policy. For those at the top of their field, membership in the Institute reflects the highest levels of distinguished achievement, committed service, and the willingness and ability to help the Institute further its mission. Nominations are confidential and can only be initiated by existing members familiar with the scholarship and service of the prospective member. Membership is very selective as only 70 members can be elected each year.

Dick Easterlin	University Professor and Professor of Economics
Alfred Fischer	Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences
Solomon Golomb	University Professor, Distinguished Professor Electrical Engineering and Mathematics and Andrew and Erna Viterbi Chair in Communications
Robert Hellwarth	University Professor and George T. Pfleger Chair in Electrical Engineering and Professor of Physics
Thomas Jordan	University Professor and W.M. Keck Foundation Chair in Geological Sciences
Steve Kay	Anna H. Bing Dean's chair in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences, Neurology, Physiology and Biophysics
George Olah	Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Chair in Organic Chemistry
Larry Swanson	Milo Don and Lucille Appleman Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences, Neurology and Psychology
Simon Tavare	George and Louise Kawamoto Chair in Biological Sciences and Professor (Research) of Biological Sciences
Richard Thompson	University Professor Emeritus and William M. Keck Chair Emeritus in Psychology and Biological Sciences
Arieh Warshel	Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Michael Waterman	University Professor, USC Associates Chair in Natural Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Mathematics