Fredrick Kyalo Manthi, adjunct professor at the University of Utah and director of antiquities, sites and monuments at the National Museums of Kenya, and Bruce Edgar, researcher at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the U, have been elected as members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the years 2024 and 2025, respectively. They join 18 other current U faculty and 2,662 total academy members, of which 200 have received Nobel prizes.

The National Academies, which also include the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, recognizes scientists who have made outstanding and ongoing contributions to original research. As one of science’s most prestigious distinctions, membership represents an exceptional achievement in the scientific community.

Meet Fredrick Kyalo Manthi

Find the full College of Science story here.

Fredrick Kyalo Manthi, who serves in the Department of Geology & Geophysics in the U’s College of Science, was elected for his significant contributions to the fields of vertebrate paleontology and human evolution research. He is the only African scientist elected for 2024 and just the second Kenyan ever to receive this recognition.

“Fredrick Manthi’s election to the National Academy of Sciences is incredibly well-deserved and represents decades of meticulous field research and scientific dedication,” said Thure Cerling, Distinguished Professor of geology & geophysics and biological sciences at the U and fellow NAS member. “His pioneering work has advanced our understanding of early human evolution, and his connection to Utah has enriched our research community immensely.”

With a research career spanning nearly four decades, Manthi has established himself as a leading expert in East African paleontology. Since joining the National Museums of Kenya in 1986, he has conducted extensive fieldwork throughout the Lake Turkana Basin and other fossil sites across Kenya. Since 2003, Manthi directed numerous excavations at Plio-Pleistocene sites including Kanapoi, Lomekwi, Nariokotome, and several others in northern Kenya, collectively yielding over 12,000 fossil specimens, including rare hominid remains. His research on fossil and modern micro-vertebrate bone assemblages has provided valuable evidence for early hominin paleoecology. Manthi has also facilitated research opportunities for emerging Kenyan scientists and developed scientific infrastructure and training programs focused on the collections at the National Museums of Kenya, which serve as crucial resources for understanding human evolution.

“This recognition highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration, and I plan to use my NAS membership to strengthen research partnerships with the University of Utah and the National Museums of Kenya,” said Manthi. “To the young Africans and those from other parts of the world, I want to tell you that you can achieve high levels of success in your career paths through focus, resilience and hard work.”

The College of Science celebrates this prestigious recognition of one of its faculty members. “Fredrick Manthi’s groundbreaking research in paleontology and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists are exemplary,” said Interim Dean Pearl Sandick. “His election to the National Academy of Sciences is a tremendous honor, reflecting the extraordinary quality and global impact of his research.”

Learn more about Manthi at the College of Science.

Meet Bruce Edgar

Find the full Huntsman Cancer Institute story here.

Bruce Edgar was elected for his significant contributions to the scientific study of cell growth and proliferation. His work has primarily been conducted on the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. 

“I was very surprised. I did not expect this at all,” said Edgar. “I’ve received congratulations from many of my colleagues, and that means so much to me. But I’ve also heard from fellow scientists who I don’t know as well. To realize that they were congratulating me for my work in science—and not because of a personal connection—is very special. I also want to express my gratitude to my trainees and collaborators who over many years have helped me to propel our discoveries forward.”

Early in his career, Edgar made fundamental discoveries in the cell cycle, mitosis, and how DNA replication is controlled in cells. He has also helped identify and analyze a variety of genes and oncogenes, genes that can mutate to transform a normal cell into a cancer cell. Edgar’s work with fruit flies has led to an understanding of the human genes CDC25, which controls cell division, and Rheb, a gene that controls a key signaling pathway that drives cell growth, among other capabilities.

Over the past 15 years, Edgar has been researching stem cells, a type of cell essential for tissue maintenance, regeneration, and longevity, in the intestines of fruit flies, mouse models, and humans. He and his team are studying how stem cell growth and proliferation is controlled in the normal healthy intestine and how abnormal gene activities change stem cells to grow tumors. His research has made significant contributions to the understanding of how inflammatory bowel diseases and colon and stomach cancers develop.

“Dr. Edgar is an internationally recognized leader in the fields of cell and developmental biology, where he has made numerous important discoveries on the mechanisms governing cell division, growth, and development. His work has been pivotal for understanding tissue development and regeneration and also how dysregulation of these mechanisms can lead to a variety of health conditions, including inflammation, tissue atrophy, and cancer,” said Brad Cairns, chief academic officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the U.

“This recognition reflects Dr. Edgar’s remarkable creativity and deep insight into the fundamental mechanisms of development—work that is shedding new light on cancer and other critical health conditions,” said Bob Carter, CEO of University of Utah Health and senior vice president for health sciences. “We are fortunate to have such an exceptional researcher among us at the University of Utah.”

Past and present U researchers in the National Academies

Below are lists of current or former University of Utah faculty elected to one or more of the National Academies. Note that some were elected before or after their tenure at the university, and that some have died since their election.

National Academy of Sciences: Brenda Bass, Cynthia Burrows, Mario Capecchi, Dana Carroll, Thure Cerling, James Ehleringer, Kristen Hawkes, James O’Connell, Baldomero “Toto” Olivera, C. Dale Poulter, Peter Stang, Wesley Sundquist, Polly Wiessner, Henry Harpending, Jesse D. Jennings, Cheves Walling, Sidney Velick, John R. Roth, Josef Michl, Ray White, Julian Steward, Jeremy Sabloff, Henry Eyring and Louis Goodman and Mary C. Beckerle.

National Academy of Engineering: Jindrich Kopecek, R. Peter King, Adel Sarofim, Sung Wan Kim, Gerald Stringfellow, Donald Dahlstrom, George Hill, Jan D. Miller, Milton E. Wadsworth, Thomas G. Stockham, John Herbst, Stephen C. Jacobsen, Willem J. Kolff, Alex G. Oblad, Anil Virkar and William A. Hustrulid.

National Academy of Medicine: Mario Capecchi, Wendy Chapman, Sung Wan Kim, Vivian Lee, Baldomero “Toto” Olivera, Stephen C. Jacobsen, Eli Adashi, Paul D. Clayton and Homer R. Warner.

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