Koopmans member of the American National Academy of Sciences

Professor of Virology Prof. Marion Koopmans has been elected an international member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). This is an American independent, non-profit association of approximately 2,600 American and 537 international leading scientists, including approximately 190 Nobel Prize winners.

Scientists are elected to NAS by their peers for their outstanding contributions to research. Membership is considered one of the highest honors a scientist can receive. Up to 120 new American members are elected annually. Koopmans is one of the 24 new international members this year.

“Great news and I feel very honored of course. I have received congratulations from a large number of people who I consider to be top in their (and my) field,” she responds enthusiastically. ‘I have sometimes participated as an external expert in preparing advice from the NAS and then you really see the scientific world’s top at work. That is super inspiring and I expect to learn a lot from it.’

Animal, Nutritional and Applied Microbial Sciences Section

The NAS is committed to advancing science in America, advising the United States federal government on problems where scientific understanding is important and conducting independent studies. Its members are divided among 31 disciplinary sections. Koopmans joins the Animal, Nutritional and Applied Microbial Sciences Section.

‘I’m curious to see what questions there are. I’m going to call one of the members first, to get caught up. And of course to the inauguration, April next year. I’m really looking forward to it,’ she concludes.