<p>Election to the NAS has everything to do with quality of research and nothing to do with teaching. It is often a stepping stone to awards such as the Wolf Prize or the Nobel Prize. </p>
<p>On the other hand, many of the top textbooks are written by NAS members and a number of them teach undergrads. In fast advancing disciplines such as chemistry there is often a distinct advantage being taught by a leader in the field, who is familiar with the latest developments. At MIT, intro level classes are often taught by the most senior faculty in part because they can often better “clear the fog” around complex issues and make the discipline more exciting.</p>