On February 11, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) announced its new members for 2025. Among the new class of 128 U.S.-based and 22 international NAE members are numerous chemical engineers. The following members of AIChE have been elected to NAE’s distinguished ranks.
Osvaldo A. Bascur, Principal, OSB Digital LLC — “For applying phenomenological modeling techniques in mineral and processing plant performance optimization.”
Martin Z. Bazant, E. G. Roos (1944) Chair Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology — “For contributions to nonlinear electrochemical and electrokinetic phenomena, including induced charge electroosmosis, shock electrodialysis, capacitive desalination, and energy storage applications.”
Lisa Brannon-Peppas, Founder and President, PeppChem Consulting — “For contributions to the targeted drug delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and contributions to biomaterials swelling, and for biomedical leadership.”
Robert C. Brown, Anson Marston Distinguished Professor and Gary and Donna Hoover Chair, Iowa State University — “For engineering processes for controlled oxidation of lignocellulosic biomass and plastic wastes into low-carbon-footprint energy, fuels, and chemicals.”
Charles L. Cooney, Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology — “For contributions to biochemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing that propelled the establishment and growth of the global biotechnology industry.”
Nicholas A. Kotov, Joseph B. and Florence V. Cejka Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor — “For scalable methods for the self-assembly of anisotropic nanoparticles and multifunctional nanocomposites that led to commercially viable advanced materials.”
Concetta La Marca, Senior Principal Consultant, The Chemours Company — “For contributions to the commercial development and manufacturing of advanced, non-ozone-depleting, low-global-warming-potential refrigerants.”
Yueh-Lin Loo, Theodora D. ‘78 and William H. Walton III ‘74 Professor, Princeton University — “For contributions in developing processing-structure-property relationships in organic, polymer, and hybrid electronic materials, and for leadership in decarbonizing shipping.”
Karen McKee, President, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company — “For leadership and innovation in growing sustainable global petrochemical businesses.”
Kristala L. Prather, Arthur D. Little Professor and Chemical Engineering Department Head, Massachusetts Institute of Technology — “For the development of innovative approaches to regulate metabolic flux in engineered microorganisms with applications to specialty chemicals production.”
Roger Ruan, Professor and Director, Center for Biorefining, University of Minnesota, St. Paul — “For scientific and entrepreneurial contributions to the sustainable development of the circular economy within food and agricultural systems.”
David V. Schaffer, Hubbard Howe Distinguished Professor of Biochemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley — “For the application of fundamental molecular and cellular engineering principles to enable the clinical success of gene and cell therapies.”
Vankat Venkatasubramanian, Samuel Ruben–Peter G. Viele Professor, Columbia University — “For research in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence methods in process safety and pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
Yong Wang, Regents and Voiland Distinguished Professor, Washington State University; Associate Director, Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — “For advancing catalyst discovery, design, and reaction engineering for energy and environmental applications.”
Zhen-Gang Wang, Dick and Barbara Dickinson Professor of Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology — “For unifying theories of thermodynamic and transport properties of polymers to predict phase behavior, self-assembly, and nucleation.”
The newly elected members will be formally inducted during the NAE's Annual Meeting on October 5, 2025.
Founded in 1964, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. Its mission is to advance the welfare and prosperity of the nation by providing independent advice on matters involving engineering and technology, and by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and public appreciation of engineering.
About AIChE: AIChE is a professional society of more than 60,000 members in more than 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontier of chemical engineering research in such areas as nanotechnology, sustainability, hydrogen fuels, biological and environmental engineering, and chemical plant safety and security. More information about AIChE is available at www.aiche.org.