5 May 2022 – EMBO Director Fiona Watt has been inducted to the US National Academy of Sciences in a presentation ceremony for members newly elected in 2019, 2020, and 2021 at its 159th Annual Meeting. Her election in 2019 recognized her discoveries about tissue stem cells that have applications for wound healing and inflammatory skin disorders. As a non-US-citizen, Watt had been elected as one of 23 international members, who are non-voting members.
“It’s a great honour to become a part of the National Academy of Sciences,” Watt says.
“Its work to promote evidence-based decision-making with the aim to benefit society is highly important. I am looking forward to engaging with the academy and its members.” The National Academy of Sciences is a private, non-governmental institution that advises the US federal government and other organizations on issues related to science and technologies. It was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln. The most recent election brings the total number of active members to 2,461 and that of international members to 511.
