UF engineering professor elected to The American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected University of Florida computer science professor and National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) laureate Juan E. Gilbert, Ph.D. as a 2024 Academy member. The Academy, founded in 1780 by John Adams and John Hancock, elects leaders from all disciplines that work together to solve the problems that our nation faces and believes in cultivating a membership of innovators across all fields of arts and sciences. 

“We honor these artists, scholars, scientists, and leaders in the public, non-profit, and private sectors for their accomplishments and for the curiosity, creativity, and courage required to reach new heights,” said David Oxtoby, president of the Academy. “We invite these exceptional individuals to join in the Academy’s work to address serious challenges and advance the common good.” 

Gilbert joins a long list of influential members such as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and more. His work toward pioneering a voting system that is accessible, reliable, and secure for everyone falls in line with these leaders' ideals. 

“At the University of Florida, we want the brightest minds tackling the hardest challenges, and that’s exactly what Dr. Gilbert does,” said UF President Ben Sasse. “We are proud of his work and thrilled to celebrate this recognition.” 

Gilbert’s research in innovative voting technologies embodies some of the current focuses of the Academy, which are democracy, justice, science, and technology. Gilbert is joined by Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Inc., George Clooney, and 247 talented leaders and innovators as a 2024 elected member.  

“We're excited to continue recognizing Dr. Gilbert's achievements as he persists in tackling the challenges of safeguarding democracy,” said Forrest Masters, Ph.D., interim dean of UF's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. “His enduring commitment in this field is forging the way forward and has shown that others are acknowledging the results his research is generating, particularly in a societal climate where transparency is crucial.” 

Gilbert and his Ph.D. students in his “Computing for Social Good” lab work daily on providing solutions to issues faced by the American public. These solutions range from innovative and accessible voting technologies with Prime III open-source voting software to deescalating tensions in routine traffic stops through video chat with Virtual Traffic Stop. 

“I am truly honored and humbled by this tremendous recognition of the work we do to change the world. The Academy recognizes the top people in our field, and to be named as one of them is such a huge honor,” said Gilbert, who is also the Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor & Chair of the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. “The work that is done in the Academy for our nation has had impact for centuries. I am so grateful for this recognition, and I am looking forward to contributing to the Academy.”