The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars. Established by an Act of Congress, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the NAS for outstanding contributions to research. The NAS is committed to furthering science in America, and its members are active contributors to the international scientific community. Approximately 500 current and deceased members of the NAS have won Nobel Prizes, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, founded in 1914, is today one of the premier international journals publishing the results of original research.

Kim Orth is one of 146 new members that were elected back in April in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Kim graduated from Texas A&M University in 1984, with her B.S. in Biochemistry and received her Ph.D. from UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Dr. Orth is a professor of molecular biology and biochemistry and the Earl A. Forsythe Chair in Biomedical Science at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is an investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This article from two years ago mentions that Dr. Jim Wild was instrumental in the process of her career in Biochemistry. Congratulations, Kim!