Lehigh Academic Staff Recognized as Senior Fellows of the National Inventors Academy
Lehigh University's Senior NAI Members Drive Innovation and Society's Welfare
Lehigh University's senior members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) are making a significant impact on society, with their innovations and contributions to research. These esteemed faculty members hail from the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences.
One such member is Yahong Rosa Zheng, a professor in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Similarly, Volkmar Dierolf holds the position of professor and chair of the physics department, with a joint appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in Rossin. Xuanhong Cheng, a professor in the departments of Bioengineering and Materials Science and Engineering, is another notable senior NAI member.
While specific research activities and achievements of these faculty members are not detailed, their designation as senior members of the NAI underscores their significant contributions to innovation and invention. NAI senior members are typically recognised for their outstanding patents, inventions, or innovations that have led to societal benefits, such as improved technologies, economic growth, and enhanced educational outcomes.
The National Academy of Inventors honours its Fellows for their impactful innovations and leadership in research and education. For instance, David Gracias, a professor in Lehigh’s Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChemBE) department, was recently inducted as a Fellow of the NAI in 2025. This recognition honours his significant contributions to innovation and leadership in research and education.
Lehigh University is unique in the Lehigh Valley, being the only university to have the R1 designation, which signifies that it conducts the highest level of research activity within the Carnegie Classification. This designation further emphasises the university's commitment to research and innovation.
Joining Lehigh's senior NAI members are Jonas Baltrusaitis, an associate professor in the department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Siddha Pimputkar, an associate professor in the department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Xiaoji Xu, an associate professor in the department of Chemistry.
In conclusion, the senior NAI members from Lehigh’s P.C. Rossin College and College of Arts and Sciences are distinguished for their patented inventions and leadership in innovation, which have substantial impacts through technological advances and education of future inventors. Their achievements exemplify the university's commitment to research, innovation, and the betterment of society.
- The faculty members at Lehigh University's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science and College of Arts and Sciences, having been recognized as senior members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), play a substantial role in driving innovation and improving society's welfare through their patented inventions and leadership in the field.
- Education and self-development are fostered at Lehigh University, as evidenced by the induction of David Gracias, a professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChemBE) department, as a Fellow of the NAI in 2025, in recognition of his significant contributions to innovation and leadership in research and education.
- The National Academy of Inventors honours its Fellows for their impactful innovations and leadership in both research and education across various disciplines, such as science, engineering, arts, and education-and-self-development.
- In addition to the senior NAI members, Lehigh University boasts associate professors from various departments — Jonas Baltrusaitis in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Siddha Pimputkar in Materials Science and Engineering, and Xiaoji Xu in Chemistry — all of whom contribute to the university's commitment to research, innovation, and the betterment of society.
