Duke Members of the National Academy of Engineering

The greatest honor for an engineer in the U.S.

More than 30 Duke alumni and faculty have been elected since the academy’s founding in 1964.

NAE Great Hall graphic

Faculty Members

Duke faculty members of the National Academy of Engineering represent expertise in diverse fields— including flight dynamics, digital imaging and communications, environmental engineering and medical device design.

The atrium of the Fitzpatrick Center at Duke University

Honor Roll

Gabriel Katul of Duke University

Gabriel G. Katul

2023

For advances in eco-hydrology and environmental fluid mechanics

Guillermo Sapiro of Duke University

Guillermo Sapiro

2022

For contributions to the theory and practice of imaging

Robert L. Clark Jr.

Robert L. Clark Jr.

2022

For development of automated tools for rapidly identifying and indexing desirable genetic traits for next-generation seed and biotechnology product development

Dean of Engineering, 2007-2008

Kenneth C. Hall of Duke University

Kenneth C. Hall

2020

For development of unsteady aerodynamic and aeromechanics theories and analysis for internal and external aerodynamic flows

Anna Barros of Duke University

Ana Barros

2019

For contributions to understanding and prediction of precipitation dynamics and flood hazards in mountainous terrains

Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. School Distinguished Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, 2018-2021

Alec D. Gallimore of Duke University

Alec D. Gallimore

2019

For advanced spacecraft electric propulsion, especially Hall thruster technology

Vahid Tarokh of Duke University

Vahid Tarokh

2019

For contributions to space-time coding and its applications to multi-antenna wireless communications

Blake S. Wilson of Duke University

Blake S. Wilson

2017

For engineering development of the cochlear implant that bestows hearing to individuals with profound deafness

Class of 1974, Class of 2015

William A. Hawkins III

William A. Hawkins III

2016

For leadership in biomedical engineering and translational medicine

Class of 1976

Kristina Johnson

Kristina M. Johnson

2016

For development and deployment of liquid crystal on silicon display technologies, the basis for high speed optoelectronic 3D imaging

Dean of Engineering, 1999-2007

Jennifer L. West

Jennifer L. West

2016

For developments in photothermal and theranostic therapies and bioabsorbed scaffolds for tissue regeneration

Fitzpatrick Family University Professor of Engineering, 2012-2021

Ingrid Daubechies

Ingrid Daubechies

2015

For contributions to the mathematics and applications of wavelets

James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Mathematics and Electrical & Computer Engineering, 2015-2024

Mark Wiesner of Duke University

Mark R. Wiesner

2015

For contributions to membrane technologies for water treatment and understanding of environmental behavior and risk of nanomaterials

M. Katherine Banks

M. Katherine Banks

2014

For contributions to phytoremediation of petroleum contamination, and for leadership in engineering education

Class of 1989

Fred Lee

Fred Lee

2011

For contributions to high-frequency power conversion and systems integration technologies, education, industry alliances, and technology transfer

Class of 1972, Class of 1974

Frank L. Bowman

Frank L. Bowman

2009

For leadership in the design of nuclear-reactor propulsion plants to support the power requirements of evolving combat systems

Class of 1966, Class of 2003
NAE Gibbs Brothers Medal, 2022

Robert L Cook

Robert L. Cook

2009

For building the motion picture industry’s standard rendering tool

Class of 1973

J. Turner Whitted

J. Turner Whitted

2009

For contributions to computer graphics, notably recursive raytracing

Class of 1969, Class of 1970

Robert Calderbank of Duke University

A. Robert Calderbank

2005

For leadership in communications research, from advances in algebraic coding theory to signal processing for wire-line and wireless modems

Edmund M. Clarke

Edmund M. Clarke

2005

For contributions to the formal verification of hardware and software correctness

Class of 1968

Douglas Chapin

Douglas M. Chapin

2002

For improvements in reliability and the prevention and mitigation of core damage accidents in nuclear reactors worldwide

Class of 1962

Joseph A. Yura

Joseph A. Yura

2000

For research and educational contributions on bracing and stability for steel structures

Class of 1959

Theodore C. Kennedy

Theodore C. Kennedy

1999

For leadership and innovation in advancing the nation’s construction industry

Class of 1952

Robert Koerner

Robert M. Koerner

1998

For design and use of geosynthetics in the constructed environment

Class of 1968

Charles Townes

Charles H. Townes

1998

For development of the maser and laser

Class of 1937, Class of 1966
NAE Simon Ramo Founders Award, 2000

Henry Petroski of Duke University

Henry Petroski

1998

For books, articles, and lectures on engineering and the profession that have reached and influenced a wide range of audiences

Aleksander S. Vesic Distinguished Professor, 1993-2023

John H. Gibbons

John H. Gibbons

1994

For leadership in a broad spectrum of initiatives toward the development and communication of national policies for technological issues

Class of 1954, Class of 1997
NAE Arthur M. Bueche Award, 1998

Charles B. Duke

Charles B. Duke

1993

For providing the theoretical foundations for developments in xerography

Class of 1959

Earl H. Dowell of Duke University

Earl H. Dowell

1993

For contributions to aeroelasticity and structural dynamics, which provide continuing insights into the behavior of complex structural systems

Dean of Engineering, 1983-1999

Robert Fischell

Robert E. Fischell

1989

For pioneering contributions to satellite altitude control and for leadership and innovation in bringing aerospace technology to implantable biomedical devices

Class of 1951

Walter Brown

Walter L. Brown

1986

For the discovery of semiconductor surface channels crucial in field-effect transistors, and for contributions to ion beam uses in semiconductor diagnostics and processing

Class of 1953

Robert Plonsey of Duke University

Robert Plonsey

1986

For the application of electromagnetic field theory to biology, and for distinguished leadership in the emerging profession of biomedical engineering

Pfizer-Pratt University Professor of Engineering, -1996

John Cocke

John Cocke

1979

For leadership in high-performance computer design and contribution to the field of optimizing compilers

Class of 1945, Class of 1956, Class of 1988

Robert R. Everett

Robert R. Everett

1979

For pioneering of digital computers and their application to real-time control system

Class of 1942, Class of 1992

Frederick P Brooks

Frederick P. Brooks Jr.

1976

For contributions to computer system design and the development of academic programs in computer sciences

Class of 1953

Charles Holley

Charles H. Holley

1976

For pioneering contributions to the evolution of turbine-generator design

Class of 1941

Lewis M Branscomb

Lewis M. Branscomb

1974

For leadership in advancing national and international science and technology

Class of 1945, Class of 1971
NAE Arthur M. Bueche Award, 1987