The Theodore Williams Richards Professor of Chemistry is a newly elected member of one of the country’s oldest learned societies

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced the election of 213 new members on Thursday, including 11 Harvard faculty. The class of 2018 includes authors Ta-Nehisi Coates and Viet Thanh Nguyen; former President Barack Obama, J.D. ’91; Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor; and Academy- and Emmy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks.

Professor Friend fits this illustrious group. She is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society, sits on advisory panels for numerous scientific organizations, including several in the Department of Energy, and has earned international recognition for her work to address global energy challenges. Since 2014, Friend has led the Harvard Energy Frontier Research Center for Sustainable Chemical Production, which serves to tackle some of the most important energy challenges for the nation.

The Friend Lab focuses, in particular, on important catalytic reactions and how to make new materials with key chemical functionality. Their work has implications for energy cost reduction, technology development, and new, alternative energy sources.

Founded in 1780, the Academy honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists, and innovators and engages them in sharing knowledge and addressing challenges facing the world. The Academy’s projects and publications generate ideas and offer recommendations to advance the public good in the arts, citizenship, education, energy, government, the humanities, international relations, science, and more.

“Membership in the Academy is not only an honor, but also an opportunity and a responsibility,” said Jonathan Fanton, president of the American Academy. “Members can be inspired and engaged by connecting with one another and through academy projects dedicated to the common good. The intellect, creativity, and commitment of the 2018 class will enrich the work of the academy and the world in which we live.”