Barry Barish Named a Member of the American Philosophical Society

World-renowned experimental physicist, Nobel Laureate and Stony Brook University President’s Distinguished Endowed Chair in Physics Barry Barish has been elected as a new member of the American Philosophical Society (APS).

The APS is the oldest learned society in North America, co-founded by United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin with John Bartram, for the “promotion of useful knowledge.” Election to the Society recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in every field of study as well as distinguished work in the arts, business and public service.

Barish is one of 38 new members elected this year. Since APS was founded in 1743, there have been only 5,854 members elected over 282 years.

Barish joined Stony Brook in the fall semester of 2023. He shared the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for the observation of gravitational waves with the historic Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory experiment. This research proved the ripples in the fabric of space and time that were predicted by Albert Einstein 100 years earlier.

“Of all the numerous accolades Barry received, this could be one of the coolest,” said Chang Kee Jung, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “The prestige of an honor is shaped by the people who also receive the honor and Barry has exceptional company in this society, especially C.N. Yang, who was elected in 1964. In physics, we call C.N. Yang “Frank,” his chosen American name for his admiration of Ben Franklin that Barry shares. In my opinion, the discovery of gravitational waves emanating from two merging black holes, for which Barry played a critical role, is one of the greatest triumphs of humanity. So, this recognition is very fitting. We are truly lucky to have Barry at Stony Brook teaching both graduate and undergrad students.”

In addition to teaching, Barish serves as an advisor to Jung and provides guidance on enhancing Stony Brook’s participation in gravitational astronomy research. He is also the Ronald and Maxine Linde Professor of Physics, Emeritus, at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Riverside.