Left to right: Alice Alldredge, Lars Bildsten and Henry Yang have been elected as members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Oceanographer Alice L. Alldredge and astrophysicist Lars Bildsten honored for transformative contributions to marine ecology and theoretical physics
Oceanographer Alice L. Alldredge and astrophysicist Lars Bildsten, two faculty members from UC Santa Barbara’s Mathematical, Life, and Physical Sciences division, have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2026. They join 252 new members recognized by the prestigious society, founded in 1780, for advancing the public good through exceptionally accomplished work.
A professor emeritus in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, Alldredge is a prolific researcher whose foundational discoveries regarding marine snow have fundamentally transformed the scientific understanding of the ocean's carbon cycle. Credited with discovering Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) and demersal zooplankton, her work captures the spirit of the division’s commitment to field research. She is known for her pioneering work scuba diving in the open ocean to collect fragile samples and piece together the biological engines that sustain the planet.
"Oceanography is inherently collaborative, so I really share this award with many wonderful and stimulating students, postdocs and colleagues," Alldredge said. "I feel deeply honored to be elected to an organization whose mission is to make this a better world."
Bildsten, the director of the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and Gluck Professor of Theoretical Physics in the Department of Physics, is recognized for his pioneering theoretical research on the properties and behaviors of stars. His work spans the lifecycle of stars, from billions of years of burning thermonuclear fuel to their explosions as supernovae and the emission of gravitational waves. As a guiding force on campus, Bildsten has fostered a highly collaborative environment, gathering the world's brightest minds around a chalkboard at KITP to push the boundaries of theoretical physics.
"I am deeply honored to have been elected," Bildsten said. "The Academy’s reach across so many disciplines makes this a personally meaningful accolade for me!"
The 2026 class also brings distinct honors to the broader UC Santa Barbara community. Chancellor Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Henry T. Yang was elected, celebrated for three decades of visionary leadership that built the interdisciplinary, rigorous foundation the campus thrives on today. Additionally, Jack Dangermond, president and founder of Esri and a vital philanthropic partner to the university's spatial science research, was recognized as an environmental scientist and GIS technologist.
"The stories of discovery happening in our labs and classrooms every day are compelling," said Shelly Gable, Susan and Bruce Worster Dean of Science. "Everything we accomplish flows from the exceptional people who make up our community." Read the full story on The Current.