From left: UC Berkeley professors Doris Tsao, Raphael Bousso, P. David Pearson, Sarah Anzia, Kristin Persson, Michael Hutchings and Paolo Mancosu were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences this week.
April 22, 2026
Berkeley Physics is pleased to announce that Professor Raphael Bousso is one of seven UC Berkeley faculty elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences as a member of the 2026 class.
Bousso is a professor and Chancellor’s Chair in the Department of Physics and a member of the Leinweber Institute for Theoretical Physics. A theoretician, Bousso is seeking a unified theory of our universe that includes both quantum mechanics and general relativity, known as quantum gravity. His work focuses on the interplay between spacetime geometry, quantum information theory and relativistic field theory. Key topics include quantum black holes and the information paradox, holographic entropy bounds and the fundamental relationship between energy and quantum information. He leads GeoFlow, a multi-institutional consortium of theorists and experimentalists working at the interface of quantum information theory and condensed matter physics.
Academy President Laurie L. Patton and Board Chair Goodwin Liu announced the election of more than 250 distinguished individuals this year, recognizing exceptional achievements across academia, the arts, industry, public policy, and research.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences honors leaders whose work advances the public good and deepens understanding across disciplines. Professor Bousso’s election reflects his significant contributions to theoretical physics and his standing within the global scientific community.
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UC Berkeley News covers all 7 UC Berkeley faculty elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2026.
A full list of newly elected members, along with an online directory of Academy members past and present, is available through the Academy.