An MSU John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor received one of the highest honors in science Tuesday when he became a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Richard Lenski has appointments in MSU's Departments of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Zoology and Crop and Soil Sciences, and received a call Tuesday notifying him of his election to the academy.

"It was a huge surprise," Lenski said. "It's very exciting, and it's an honor not just to me but to the terrific colleagues and collaborators and graduate students I've worked with."

Lenski said he did not know he was even a candidate until he received the phone call, and still does not know who nominated him.

About six other MSU faculty members are members of the academy, which is a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 to advise the government on scientific matters.

Only 72 members nationwide and 18 foreign associates are elected each year, said Maureen O'Leary, director of public information for the academy.

There are more than 2,000 members in the academy.

New members are elected by academy members, and the election process takes almost a year to complete, she said.

"The scientists that are chosen to be members of the National Academy of Sciences have achieved some outstanding accomplishment in their discipline," O'Leary said. "The government comes to us when they need help on issues."

As an evolutionary biologist, Lenski studies the evolution of bacterial populations, among other areas of research.

And as a newly elected member of the academy, Lenski is excited for the future.

"I've had tremendous support with people here at Michigan State," Lenski said. "It'll be interesting to see what the activities are in the National Academy of Sciences."

The academy's scientific recognition of Lenski is "the highest honor that one can get in this country," said George Leroi, dean of the College of Natural Science.

Lenski's work in evolution at MSU has helped him to stand out as a scientist, Leroi said.

"His research is really fascinating," he said. "He's using both biology and computing to essentially understand population growth.

"Whoever identified him and brought him here — that was a great coup for the university."

Lenski and the 71 other members elected this year will be inducted into the academy during a ceremony held next spring, O'Leary said.