University of Houston professors named senior members of the National Academy of Inventors

(Press-News.org) University of Houston professors Birol Dindoruk, Megan Robertson and Francisco Robles Hernandez have joined the prestigious list of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors.

The University of Houston now has 39 faculty members in the NAI.

“We congratulate these three esteemed colleagues on being named NAI Senior Members,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH. “This recognition is a testament to their dedication, research excellence and pursuit of real-world impact by knowledge and technologies. Their achievements continue to elevate the University as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.”

NAI Senior Members are active faculty, scientists and administrators from NAI member institutions who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. They also have growing success in patents, licensing and commercialization, while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

Robertson, the Neal R. Amundson professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at UH’s Cullen College of Engineering, is developing new polymers and groundbreaking strategies for how we can recycle and reuse plastics. She currently has three patents and two more patent applications under consideration.

“I’m very grateful for the support of the University of Houston, Cullen College and my department – without it, this recognition wouldn’t have been possible,” said Robertson, who has been at UH since 2010. “It’s a great honor to be included among the NAI Senior Members. I also thank my research team for their contributions and look forward to continuing to work with them to innovate and invent new technologies in polymer circularity.”

Robles, a professor of mechanical engineering technology at the UH College of Technology who holds four patents with several others under review, arrived at UH in 2008. His work primarily focuses on carbon materials, including pioneering work with graphene and designs with steel and aluminum used in automotive and railroad applications.

“As an inventor, this is one of the highest honors you can be awarded, so I am very proud to receive it,” Robles Hernandez said. “UH has been instrumental in supporting my research and innovation efforts, but it’s the creativity of the students here that makes it successful.”

Dindoruk, the American Association of Drilling Engineers Endowed Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Cullen College of Engineering, is known for his research in fluid-rock interactions, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen storage – areas that hold profound implications for energy and environmental sustainability. He holds three patents and has shared many more patentable ideas publicly.

“Being named a Senior Member is both an honor and a responsibility, and I appreciate UH for nurturing an environment where creativity and innovation are not just encouraged but expected,” Dindoruk said. “Ultimately, this milestone is not just about past achievements. It is about future opportunities to innovate, collaborate and make a meaningful impact on both industry and society.”

Following their nomination, individuals undergo a rigorous selection process by the NAI Senior Member Advisory Committee, which is composed of elected NAI Fellows who are considered pioneers in their respective fields. This latest class of 162 emerging inventors is the largest to date, representing 64 member institutions across the country. Collectively, they are named on more than 1,200 U.S. patents.

“To see this program grow year over year is a testament to the dedication our member institutions have to fostering innovation on their campuses and supporting their inventive staff and faculty,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of NAI. “This year’s class comes from a multitude of impressive fields and research backgrounds from across the world. We applaud their pursuit of commercialization to ensure their groundbreaking technologies can make a difference by tackling the world’s most pressing issues, improving quality of life across society and advancing the economy.”

The 2025 class will be celebrated during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at NAI’s 14th Annual Conference taking place June 23 – 26 in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about the event and register, visit https://academyofinventors.org/annual-conference/.

Click here for a full list of NAI Senior Members.

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