Chinese scientist elected as NAS foreign associate

Zhang Jie, a Chinese physicist, has been selected to be a foreign associate of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), according to a Wednesday announcement from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Zhang, president of Shanghai Communications University and a CAS academic, has made important contributions to research concerning high-energy physics, laser fusion and X-ray laser technology.

Zhang is also a member of the German Academy of Sciences, the Third World Academy of Sciences and the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom.

Zhang was one of 21 foreign associates, or nonvoting members of the academy who have citizenship outside of the United States, selected by the NAS this year. NAS membership is one of the highest honors given to U.S. scientists and engineers.

Professor V.W.W. Yam from the chemistry department of the University of Hong Kong was also elected as a foreign associate.