ANN ARBOR—Four University of Michigan faculty members have been elected as new members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a prestigious society that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in scholarly and professional fields.

They include Dr. John Carethers, Magdalene Lampert, Melanie Sanford and George Tsebelis.

The society announced today its 213 new members, who include some of the world’s most accomplished scholars, scientists, writers and artists, as well as civic, business and philanthropic leaders.

“It is an honor to welcome this new class of exceptional women and men as part of our distinguished membership,” said Don Randel, chair of the academy’s board of directors. “Their election affords us an invaluable opportunity to bring their expertise and knowledge to bear on some of the most significant challenges of our day. We look forward to engaging these new members in the work of the academy.”

Carethers is the John G. Searle Professor of Internal Medicine, professor of human genetics and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the U-M Medical School.

His research interests including familial cancer and polyposis syndromes, mechanisms of tumor progression, tumor genetics, tumor markers, DNA mismatch repair, and colorectal cancer disparities.

Lampert, professor emerita of education at the School of Education, taught teacher education and mathematics education, with a special emphasis on understanding and portraying the world of classroom practice to the academic community.

Sanford is the Moses Gomberg Collegiate Professor of Chemistry in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Her research focus is on developing homogeneous transition metal catalysts for more sustainable production of pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals and fuels.

Tsebelis, the Anatol Rapoport Collegiate Professor of Political Science in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, works in comparative politics and is a specialist in political institutions. His work uses game theoretic models to analyze the effects of institutions in Western Europe and the European Union. More recent work examines institutions in Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the country’s oldest learned societies and independent policy research centers, convening leaders from the academic, business and government sectors to respond to the challenges facing the nation and the world.

More information:

• 2016 Fellows and Foreign Honorary Members