Ferenc Krausz elected to the American National Academy of Sciences

The MPQ Director joins the NAS as an international member – one of the highest distinctions in science

The American National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has elected MPQ Director Ferenc Krausz as an international member. The honour recognises his pioneering contributions to attosecond physics and to fundamental research more broadly. NAS membership is widely regarded as one of the highest honours in science, with only a limited number of international members elected each year.

The American National Academy of Sciences (NAS), based in Washington, D.C., has announced the election of 120 members and 25 international members. Among the newly elected scientists is MPQ Director Ferenc Krausz.

The Academy, an honorary society, selects new members “in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research”. Bringing together leading scientists from a wide range of disciplines, it advises the U.S. government and its agencies on scientific matters and conducts research.

NAS membership is achieved by election only. Academy members are allowed to submit formal nominations. Following a careful vetting process, the final ballot at the NAS’ annual meeting completes election process. Each year, a maximum of 120 members may be elected, while the number of international members is limited to 30.

Ferenc Krausz, MPQ Director and Professor at LMU Munich, has been elected an international NAS member in recognition of his pioneering work in attosecond physics. His research has received numerous awards, including the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics.

The newly appointed bring the total number of active NAS members to 2705 and the total number of international members – scientists with citizenship outside the United States – to 557.