The pursuit of innovation continues to yield significant advancements across diverse fields, and recently, three faculty members from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) have been recognized for their contributions. Lili He, Govindarajan Srimathveeravalli, and VP Nguyen have been named Senior Members of the 2026 class of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), a prestigious honor acknowledging their success in translating research into tangible technologies with real-world impact. This recognition underscores UMass Amherst’s commitment to fostering an environment where cutting-edge research meets practical application, ultimately benefiting society and driving economic progress.
The National Academy of Inventors’ Senior Member program specifically honors active faculty, scientists, and administrators at member institutions who have demonstrated a proven track record of producing, patenting, and commercializing technologies. This isn’t simply about theoretical breakthroughs; it’s about inventions that are making – or have the potential to build – a difference in people’s lives. UMass Amherst’s Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, emphasized the university’s dedication to this ecosystem, stating, “UMass Amherst is committed to fostering an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that helps connect cutting-edge research to real-world applications, bringing revolutionary solutions to life for our global community.” The work of He, Srimathveeravalli, and Nguyen exemplifies this commitment, spanning critical areas like food science, biomedical engineering, and computer science.
Rapid Bacteria Detection: Lili He’s Serendipitous Discovery
Lili He, professor and head of the Food Science department at UMass Amherst, experienced a fortunate accident that led to a significant innovation in food safety. While conducting research funded by the USDA to develop a faster and more accurate method for quantifying bacteria in food – a core challenge in the field – a student inadvertently discovered an unexpected property in the chemical coating the lab was using. The initial research involved a complex, multi-step protocol, but the coating itself proved to eliminate the need for those intermediate, and costly, steps. This serendipitous finding formed the basis of a patent for BactiSee, a rapid surface-bacteria detection system designed for use in food processing, pharmaceutical, and healthcare settings. UMass Amherst News details how He has also launched HertZ Innovation Tech, a startup company, alongside her postdoctoral researcher, Yuzhen Zhang, to bring BactiSee to market.
Advancing Image-Guided Therapy: Govindarajan Srimathveeravalli’s Minimally Invasive Innovations
Govindarajan Srimathveeravalli, an associate professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the Riccio College of Engineering and director of the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring within the Institute for Applied Life Sciences, is pioneering advancements in minimally invasive medical treatments. His research focuses on developing medical devices utilizing image-guided therapy, a technique that allows physicians to treat diseased tissue with remarkable precision. “My lab develops technology to advance image-guided therapy,” Srimathveeravalli explained. “In these procedures, a physician—with a really tiny incision—inserts a needle or a catheter into diseased tissue to treat it. We use electrical energy as a therapeutic modality.” This approach allows for targeted energy delivery, effectively destroying cancer cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. LinkedIn reports that Srimathveeravalli holds several patents related to these devices.
Srimathveeravalli’s work extends beyond current applications. He is actively developing a diagnostic system to revolutionize cancer biopsies, as well as medical devices and energy delivery methods specifically designed to combat early-stage bladder cancer. His team is creating a catheter-based system capable of clearing tumors or plaque from major blood vessels, offering a potentially less invasive alternative to traditional surgical procedures. These innovations represent a significant step forward in personalized medicine and targeted cancer treatment.
Sensing the Future: VP Nguyen’s Wireless and Bioelectronic Systems
VP Nguyen, an assistant professor in the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, is at the forefront of developing innovative wireless and sensing systems. His research is characterized by a problem-solving approach, focusing on identifying and addressing gaps in existing technologies. “We are able to solve a exceptionally diverse set of problems,” Nguyen stated. “When we see problems, we are able to go deep into what is missing and then try to correlate it with our sensor and system expertise.” This expertise has led to a wide range of applications, including device-free sleep breathing monitoring, a novel computing system controlled by tongue and teeth movements via an ear-based wearable, and wearable devices for monitoring cardiovascular health.
Nguyen’s work also encompasses a bioelectronic sensing and stimulation platform designed for adaptive balance therapy, potentially aiding individuals with balance disorders. Demonstrating the versatility of his research, his sensing network technology has even been applied to create drone swarm tracking systems for alternative firework displays. These diverse applications highlight the potential of his innovations to impact various aspects of daily life, from healthcare to entertainment.
A Growing Innovation Ecosystem at UMass Amherst
Sundar Krishnamurty, vice provost for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity at UMass Amherst, emphasized the significance of this recognition for the university as a whole. “UMass Amherst’s inductees in the NAI class of 2026 senior members join a distinguished group of over 700 scientists and researchers from around the world,” he said. “This honor recognizes their significant contributions to our innovation ecosystem, as evidenced by their success in securing patents and bringing to life technologies that impact the welfare of our society.” The NAI’s Senior Member designation is a testament to the thriving research environment at UMass Amherst and its commitment to translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions.
The 2026 class of Senior Members will be formally inducted during a ceremony at the National Academy of Inventors’ 15th annual conference, scheduled to capture place in Los Angeles from June 1-4. This event will provide a platform to celebrate the achievements of these innovators and foster collaboration within the broader scientific community.
Key Takeaways
- Food Safety Innovation: Lili He’s BactiSee system offers a rapid and cost-effective method for detecting bacteria, improving food safety standards.
- Minimally Invasive Cancer Treatment: Govindarajan Srimathveeravalli’s research is advancing image-guided therapy, enabling more precise and less invasive cancer treatments.
- Versatile Sensing Technologies: VP Nguyen’s wireless and bioelectronic systems have diverse applications, ranging from sleep monitoring to cardiovascular health and even drone technology.
- UMass Amherst’s Innovation Hub: The recognition of these three faculty members highlights UMass Amherst’s growing reputation as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The induction ceremony at the NAI’s annual conference in Los Angeles this June will mark a significant milestone for these researchers and for UMass Amherst. As these technologies continue to develop and mature, they hold the promise of addressing critical challenges in healthcare, food safety, and beyond. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on these exciting advancements and to continue following the progress of these innovative researchers.