By Laurie Burstein
More than 50 St. Louis Experts Advise the Nation on Science, Engineering and Medicine
Fifty-four St. Louis scientists, engineers and medical doctors are members of the National Academies and advise the nation on important issues including healthcare, education, business, the economy and agriculture. These St. Louis experts are called on by Congress and the federal
government to address critical national issues and give advice.
The National Academies are composed of three organizations: the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) which is about 150 years old; the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Together they manage the National Research Council through which a wide variety of studies are undertaken and reports issued.
Election to one of the Academies is one of the highest honors an engineer, scientist, or medical doctor can receive. Each academy has about 2,000 members and adds less than 100 per year. St. Louis is well represented with many members in the three academies, many coming from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Monsanto, and
Saint Louis University.
Two St. Louisians have played major roles at the Academies: Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Garden was the home secretary for NAS, a very high honor. Barbara Schaal of Washington University is the
current vice president of NAS, an equally prestigious honor.
Of the 54 St. Louis members of the National Academies in St. Louis, there are 20 NAS members, seven NAE members, and 27 IOM members. Quite a credit to the
community says Dr. Peter Raven, a longtime NAS member.
“The National Academy of Sciences is a group that elects the cream of the crop of America’s scientists. Election is a great honor,” says Dr. Peter Raven, president of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Dr. Raven continued, “The proportion of members from the St. Louis region has increased steadily over the years as our
medical schools and universities have grown in size and prestige. Together with the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Engineering, the NAS operates the National Research Council, which turns out more than 200 reports each year on
matters of societal and scientific interest.”
St. Louisian Gerry Schwartz is a longtime member of the National Academy of Engineering. He recently chaired a committee that issued a report on Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation.
“Many of these studies are undertaken at the request of the Congress or the Administration, while others are sponsored either internally or by other organizations, Schwartz says. “These studies are in-depth analyses of different topics and must follow a rigorous protocol to insure objectivity.”
Schwartz says, “St. Louis is blessed to have many members in the three academies. This is one of the highest honors and St. Louis has much to be proud of.”
Dr. Raven agrees, “St. Louis is home to the largest group of plant scientists in any part of the United States, a wonderful place to study and develop innovations in this area, and a great medical center as well. We can be sure that many more will be elected to the Academies as time
goes by.”
MELISSA REY NAMED AMERICA'S TOP YOUNG SCIENTIST
Melissa Rey of St. Louis took home a $50,000 savings bond and the honor of being named America’s Top Young Scientist of the Year awarded by the Academy of Science.
Melissa, a freshman at Kennedy High School, placed first in the 2008 Discovery Young Scientist Competition for her project titled “The Doppler Effect.” Melissa spent three days at the world-renowned Goddard Space Flight Center, located near Washington, D.C., competing in eight additional science challenges.
Upon receiving the award, Melissa voiced her appreciation to the Academy of Science-St. Louis and for her membership in the Junior Academy of Science. Prior to her trip to NASA in Washington, D.C. for the hands-on science competition, Academy corporate partner, Boeing, recognized Melissa with a special tour, lunch and simulation experience.
In its 10th year, the Young Science Competition introduced a new entry mechanism for students, challenging their ability to innovatively use everyday technology to communicate basic scientific concepts. From camcorders to cell phones, competitors chose any technology available to create two-minute videos demonstrating their understanding of scientific concepts surrounding “The Science of Space” theme.
The Academy of Science of St. Louis is a 150-year-old science outreach organization promoting the understanding and appreciation of science. The Academy of Science works to improve the quality of life in the St. Louis metropolitan area by raising the science literacy levels of students & adults. Every year, the Academy reaches thousands of local citizens through its innovative science literacy outreach programs. |
CURRENT ST. LOUIS NATIONAL ACADEMY MEMBERS
National Academy of Sciences
Roger Beachy, PhD, President, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Professor, Department of Biology, Washington University
Ramanath Cowsik, PhD, Professor of Physics, Washington University
Carl Frieden, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine
Jeffrey Gordon, MD, Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor Head, Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology,
Washington University School of Medicine
Ira Hirsh, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology,
Washington University
David Kipnis, MD, Chairman emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
William Knowles, PhD, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry,
Monsanto (retired)
Stuart Kornfeld, MD, Prof. Medicine Biochemistry/Biophysics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine
Philip Majerus, MD, Professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, Co-director, Division of Hematology, Washington University School of Medicine, Physician, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Philip Needleman, PhD, Professor emeritus of clinical pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine
Marcus Raichle, MD, Professor of Radiology and Neurology at
Washington University School of Medicine Co-director,
Division of Radiological Sciences, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology
Peter Raven, PhD, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden Engelmann
Professor of Botany, Washington University
Barbara Schaal, PhD, First Vice President - Academy of Science of St. Louis, Spencer T. Olin Professor, Department of Biology, Washington University, Research Associate, Missouri Botanical Garden
William Sly, MD, Professor & Chair, Depts. Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Nobuo Suga, PhD, Professor of Biology, Washington University
Erik Trinkaus, PhD, Professor of Anthropology, Washington University
Emil Unanue, MD, Professor, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine
Clifford Will, PhD, James McDonnell Professor of Physics,
Washington University
Wayne Yokoyama, MD, Sam & Audrey Loew Levin Professor of Medicine, Washington University
Meinhart Zenk, PhD, Member and Principal Investigator,
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
National Academy of Engineering
George Graff, Retired President, McDonnell Douglas Corporation
Don Kozlowski, Former Senior Vice President, Military Transport Aircraft, The Boeing Company
Sanford McDonnell, Chairman Emeritus, McDonnell Douglas Corporation
Yoram Rudy, PhD, Professor, Washington University
Henry Schwartz Jr., PhD, Retired Chairman of Jacobs Civil Inc., Independent Consultant
Jonathan Turner, Barbara J. & Jerome Cox Jr. Professor of
Computer Science, Washington University
Charles Wolfe, Washington University
Institute of Medicine
John Atkinson, MD, Interim Chief, Division of Rheumatology
Samuel B. Grant Professor of Medicine & Molecular,
Washington University School of Medicine
R. Don Blim, MD
Robert Cloninger, MD, Wallace Renard Professor and Director,
Washington University School of Medicine
Graham Colditz, MD, Niess-Gain Professor in Medicine
Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
Jerome Cox Jr., ScD, Senior Professor, Computer Science & Engineering, Washington University
William Danforth, MD, Chancellor Emeritus, Washington University
Timothy Eberlein, MD, Bixby Professor and Chairman
Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine
Alex Evers, MD, Henry E. Mallinckrodt Professor and Chairman
Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine
Richard Gelberman, MD, Fred C. Reynolds Professor and Chair,
Washington University
Jeffrey Gordon, MD, Dr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University
Professor and Director, Washington University School of Medicine
David Holtzman, MD, Andrew B. and Gretchen P. Jones Professor & Chair, Washington University School of Medicine
David Kipnis, MD, Washington University School of Medicine
Stuart Kornfeld, MD, Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry,
Washington University School of Medicine
Timothy Ley, MD, Alan and Edith Wolff Professor of Medicine
Professor of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine
Susan Mackinnon, MD, Sydney M. Schoenberg, Jr. & Robert H. Schoenberg Professor and Chief, Washington University School of Medicine
Philip Majerus, MD, Professor of Medicine,
Washington University School of Medicine
Philip Needleman, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine
John Olney, MD, Professor of Psychiatry and Neuropathology,
Washington University School of Medicine
William Peck, MD, Alan A. and Edith L. Woolf Distinguished Professor Director, Center for Health Policy, Washington University
Kenneth Polonsky, MD, Adolphus Busch Professor and Chairman, Washington University School of Medicine
Marcus Raichle, MD, Professor of Radiology and Neurology,
Washington University School of Medicine
Lee Robins, PhD, University Professor of Social Science Emeritus, Washington University School of Medicine
Alan Schwartz, PhD, MD, Harriet B. Spoehrer Professor & Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine
Larry Shapiro, MD, Spencer T. & Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor Executive Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs, Washington University
Emil Unanue, MD, Professor, Washington University School of Medicine
Michael Welch, PhD, Professor of Radiology Division of Radiological Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine
Virginia Weldon, MD, Independent Consultant
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