University of Illinois entomology professor and department head May Berenbaum, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and longtime editorial contributor to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and other journals, has been appointed editor-in-chief of PNAS, effective Jan. 1.

PNAS is among the most influential scientific journals in the world. It publishes original research reports, commentaries, perspectives, colloquium papers and actions of the Academy. Coverage in PNAS spans the biological, physical and social sciences.

Berenbaum holds the Swanlund Chair of Entomology at the U. of I. She was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1994 and has served on the PNAS editorial board since 1998.

“The National Academy is so fortunate to have recruited a new editor-in-chief with the international reputation, leadership experience and excellence, and commitment to quality communication demonstrated by Professor Berenbaum,” said National Academy of Sciences president Marcia McNutt in a statement announcing the appointment. “Her dedication to the journal and to the academy is legendary. I look forward to working with her in the coming years.”