A very well-deserved Congratulations to our very own Shouleh Nikzad for being elected to the National Academy of Engineering!
The election citation reads as follows:
For Contributions to Ultraviolet Instrument Technologies for Space Exploration
Washington, D.C., February 10, 2026 —The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) today announced the election of 130 members and 28 international members to its Class of 2026, said NAE President Tsu-Jae Liu. This election brings the total number of U.S. members to 2,534 and the number of international members to 356.
Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education. Members are also recognized for pioneering new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing and implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.
Shouleh Nikzad is the chief technologist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the current chair of the Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group. Prior to this role, she led the Science Division at JPL. She is a JPL Fellow, senior research scientist, and principal engineer at JPL as well as a senior faculty associate in physics at Caltech. Nikzad was elected to membership in the NAE “for contributions to ultraviolet instrument technologies for space exploration,” according to the official citation.
NAE members are among the world’s most accomplished engineers from business, academia, and government. Founded in 1964, the NAE provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation, offering leadership and insights to address complex challenges. Members are elected by their peers; the ballot for the Class of 2026 was finalized in December, and the final vote took place in January. Individuals elected to the Class of 2026 will be formally inducted during the NAE Annual Meeting in the fall. A list of the newly elected members and international members follows, along with their primary affiliations at the time of election and brief statements describing their principal engineering accomplishments.
Follow the links below to read the full press releases from Caltech/JPL and the National Academy of Engineering.
