American Academy of Arts and Sciences elects Gisou van der Goot
© 2026 EPFL
EPFL professor Gisou van der Goot has been elected into membership of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest learned societies in the United States.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences convenes leaders across disciplines to examine critical challenges and advance the public good. Founded in 1780, it brings together experts from academia, the arts, industry, and policy.
Through its studies, initiatives, and publications, the Academy works to inform policy and foster dialogue across the sciences, arts, and humanities. Election to membership recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced its 2026 class of new members on 22 April. Among them is Gisou van der Goot, Professor at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences. The honor recognizes her contributions to cell biology and her role in advancing understanding of how cells interact with their environment. She joins a cohort that includes international leaders across disciplines, reflecting the Academy’s emphasis on excellence and breadth of expertise.
Van der Goot’s research focuses on how cells sense, organize, and remodel their membranes. Her lab studies how bacterial toxins and other pathogens hijack host cell membranes, including membrane trafficking and lipid organization. This work combines cell biology and biophysics to understand infection mechanisms and how membrane structure controls cellular function.
“This recognition comes as a great honor, and a genuine surprise,” says van der Goot. “It is really the fruit of the labor of our entire research group. What resonates most with me is the Academy’s commitment to intellectual breadth, bringing together the sciences, arts, and humanities.
“I sometimes wish one could hold a complete view of knowledge; in practice—and perhaps for the better—it is something we can only build collectively. Spaces that enable this exchange, and where questioning dominant thinking is expected, are essential.”