Donna Strickland, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo and Nobel laureate in physics, was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), considered the most prestigious honorary scientific society in the United States.
NAS, based in Washington, is a non-governmental organization. It is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, known as the National Academies, advising to the U.S. government on science and technology. Members are elected by their peers.
“I’m thrilled to join the National Academy of Sciences, a long-standing and respected organization,” says Strickland. “Its mandate of providing objective, pro-bono advice to government on matters of science and technology resonates with me, and I’m excited to contribute.”
Strickland was elected to NAS back in 2020, however induction ceremonies were delayed until an in-person event was possible. This ceremony took place April 29 and included the 146 new inductees from 2020 signing their names to the official Registry of Members.
There are nearly 2,500 members of NAS, with about 500 of them coming from outside the U.S. President Abraham Lincoln approved the creation of NAS in 1863.
Below is a video of the livestream, with the time position starting as Donna Strickland is called to the stage (49:59).