Not many careers have a lasting impact on research, administration and the international community quite like Michael T. Clegg’s. The renowned Donald Bren Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and current Foreign Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences was celebrated by 80 colleagues from all over the world on December 12, 2014. The day-long symposium at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Sciences and Engineering was filled with presenters from across the nation as well as international colleagues. Speakers recognized Professor Clegg for his extensive research, science diplomacy, and academic leadership.
Throughout his extensive research career, Dr. Clegg has been a pioneer in using DNA sequencing technology and sophisticated statistical methods to understand evolutionary processes. His research prominence earned him election to the National Academy of the Sciences in 1990 and to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992. Dr. Clegg’s distinguished career has also included being named Guggenheim Fellow and President of both the American Genetic Association and the Society for Molecular Biology & Evolution. Over the past 12 years, Dr. Clegg has served as the Foreign Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences where he has contributed greatly to the international scientific community.
