Six Texas A&M faculty members named National Academy of Inventors Senior Members
Six Texas A&M University faculty members have earned one of the highest distinctions in innovation and groundbreaking research.
Representing the College of Engineering and two Texas A&M Health academic colleges, these educators are among 231 emerging inventors — representing 81 member institutions and contributing to more than 2,000 United States patents — selected to the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) 2026 class of Senior Members.
“The National Academy of Inventors continues to recognize the remarkable innovation of our Texas A&M faculty,” says Dr. Blanca Lupiani, vice provost for faculty affairs. “We encourage all faculty to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation, creating positive change both in our local communities, across the nation and around the world. We are proud to welcome these outstanding colleagues as the newest members of our distinguished group of NAI Fellows and Senior Members at the university.”
From the College of Engineering
- Guillermo Aguilar (J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering)
- Stavros Kalafatis (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering)
- Heng Pan (J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering)
- Xingyong Song (Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution)
From the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
- Dr. Narendra Kumar (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences)
From the Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
- Dr. Yubin Zhou (Department of Translational Medical Sciences)
NAI Senior Members are characterized as active faculty, scientists and administrators who are rising stars that foster a spirit of innovation within their communities and institutions while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.
“This year’s Senior Member Class is a truly impressive cohort,” states NAI President Paul R. Sanberg. “These innovators come from a variety of fields and disciplines, translating their technologies into tangible impact; I commend them on their incredible pursuits and am honored to welcome them to the Academy.”
The NAI Senior Member recognition program was launched in 2018 to recognize active faculty, scientists, and administrators at NAI Member Institutions who have successfully produced, patented and commercialized technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society and economic progress.
