This week, seven faculty members from the University of California, Berkeley, were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an organization established in 1780 to honor accomplished individuals and tackle significant challenges in the U.S. The new members include leaders from diverse fields such as philosophy, molecular biology, and engineering, reflecting the breadth of excellence at UC Berkeley. Among the notable inductees are actor Jodie Foster and author Barbara Kingsolver. Academy President Laurie Patton praised the new members, stating, 'We celebrate the achievement of each new member and the collective breadth and depth of their excellence.' Induction ceremonies will be held in October 2026 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The elected faculty include Sarah Anzia, who specializes in public policy; Raphael Bousso, a theoretical physicist; Michael Hutchings, known for his work in mathematics; Paolo Mancosu, a philosopher of mathematics; P. David Pearson, an expert in instructional science; Kristin Persson, a materials scientist; and Doris Tsao, a neuroscientist recognized for her brain-mapping research.