Eight Harvard professors, including University President Lawrence H. Summers, were elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Tuesday.

Of the Academy’s 72 newly elected members, Harvard and the University of California system had the most honorees, with eight a piece. According to Academy records, 154 of the organization’s 1,907 active members are affiliated with Harvard.

Bruce M. Alberts ’60, a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers, is the Academy president.

And former provost Harvey V. Fineberg ’67 is the incoming president of the Institute of Medicine, an organization associated with the Academy.

“I am very honored by this recognition from my scientific peers,” Summers said in a statement in which he congratulated his Harvard colleagues who were also elected.

“I’m very honored and pleased,” said Professor of Psychology Susan E. Carey, who was also selected.

Carey has served on a number of Academy committees on the subject of scientific education.

“It’s not just a club to decide who is in and who is not, but there are a variety of ways that the NAS has some effect on public policy, so it should be fun,” Carey said.

The other six Harvard professors elected Tuesday were: Harvey Cantor, professor of pathology at the Medical School; Constance L. Cepko, professor of biological and biomedical sciences at the Medical School; William C. Clark, Brooks professor of international science, public policy, and human development at the Kennedy School of Government; Laurie H. Glimcher, professor of medicine at the Medical School and Given professor of immunology at the School of Public Health; Yum-Tong Siu, Byerly professor of mathematics; and Bruce M. Spiegelman, professor of cell biology at the Medical School.

The newly elected members will be inducted at the beginning of next year’s annual meeting.

Election to the Academy is considered one of the most prestigious honors that an American scientist or engineer can receive.

Established in 1863 by Congress, the Academy serves as an official adviser to the President in any matter of science or technology.