Young-Kee Kim elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

April 18, 2017
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)

 


The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected Young-Kee Kim, Principal Investigator of the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU) and Louis Block Distinguished Service Professor in Physics at The University of Chicago, as a member of its 237th class, it was announced on April 12.

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center, and one of the oldest and most prestigious honorary societies in the United States. The Academy recognizes accomplished scholars, scientists and artists in academia, the humanities, arts, business and government. Past members include first US President George Washington, philosopher and physician Albert Schweitzer, physicist Albert Einstein and former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Kim is the fourth researcher from Kavli IPMU to become a member. The others are Principal Investigator David Spergel, who was elected in 2012, Director Hitoshi Murayama, who was elected in 2013, and Principal Investigator Hirosi Ooguri, who was elected in 2016.

Fields medalist Maryam Mirzakhani, Wolf Prize laureate and immunologist James P. Allison, and Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie join Kim as some of the 228 new members the Academy has elected this year.

“I never thought of myself as being in the same category as these accomplished scholars and scientists. It is a big surprise and a great honor. The honor of election to the American Academy is also a call to service. This encourages me to contribute to the society via scientific research and education of the next generation,” said Kim.

Kim and her fellow new academy members will be inducted at an October 7 ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Useful links

American Academy of Arts and Sciences press release

Complete list of new members

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