An Innovative Impact: Computer Science Professor Named Fellow of National Academy of Inventors
Sanjiv Kapoor, professor of computer science at Illinois Institute of Technology, has been selected as one of 164 new fellows of the National Academy of Inventors who are to be inducted at the academy’s next conference.
The NAI Fellows Program highlights academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society, according to the NAI website. Election as an NAI fellow is the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors.
“I am honored to be elected as an NAI fellow,” Kapoor says. “Being part of the academy provides valuable experience and learning opportunities that will help bring innovative ideas to reality in my research group at Illinois Tech.”
The 2021 class of fellows was selected from 116 research universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutions. Collectively, they hold more than 4,800 issued United States patents, with a body of research and entrepreneurship covering a broad range of scientific disciplines.
“The caliber of this year’s class of NAI fellows is outstanding,” says NAI President Paul R. Sandberg in a news release, adding, “I’m excited not only to see their work continue, but also see their knowledge influence a new era of science, technology, and innovation worldwide.”
Kapoor has multiple issued patents to his credit. One is in hosting computer services, which is now owned by IBM. The remaining patents are in hierarchical abstract data organization systems, stemming from his research at Illinois Tech. Kapoor says he has been applying efficient algorithm design to practice over the last 20 years. Kapoor was elected as senior member of the NAI in 2019.
Kapoor will be inducted as a NAI fellow along with the rest of the 2021 class during the NAI convention to be held in Phoenix in June 2022.
