On April 28, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) announced the election of 120 members (and 25 international members) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. One of these new members is Edgar Cahoon, a biochemistry professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).

Cahoon leads UNL’s Center for Plant Science Innovation, and previously led a five-year, $20 million project funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF): Nebraska’s Center for Root and Rhizobiome Innovation (CRRI), via Nebraska EPSCoR.

The 2026 cohort brings the total number of active NAS members to 2,705. Elected members meet rigorous standards of sustained, impactful scientific achievement at the highest levels. They are voted on by their peers in an extremely selective process with an emphasis on original, influential contributions in their field/s, and international presence.

“Nebraska EPSCoR congratulates Dr. Cahoon on this elite honor,” said Nebraska EPSCoR Director Matt Andrews. “His leadership and scientific expertise on our CRRI project was a positive force in that collaboration’s research, publishing, and further funding efforts.”

View an interview with Ed Cahoon on the CRRI project by Nebraska Public Media here.