Lyle and Sharon Bighley Chair and Professor Aliasger Salem has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Election as an Academy Fellow is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.

The 2023 class of Fellows represents NAI’s commitment to diversifying innovation on all levels, with underrepresented inventors comprising 33% of the class. This year’s class also showcases regional diversity, with Fellows representing 35 U.S. states and 10 countries, exemplifying the Academy’s belief that great innovators can be found everywhere.

“This year’s class of NAI Fellows showcases the caliber of researchers that are found within the innovation ecosystem. Each of these individuals are making significant contributions to both science and society through their work,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, president of the NAI. 

Salem is a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics and serves as co-associate vice president for Research at the University of Iowa. He received his PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. His research interests are primarily focused on self-assembling systems, rational design of novel drug and gene delivery systems, and development of sophisticated scaffolds for tissue-specific regeneration.  

Previous honors and awards include American Cancer Society Research Scholar, American Cancer Society; Collegiate Teacher of the Year, College of Pharmacy; and elected Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. 

“Elected Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors collectively hold over 63,000 U.S. patents, and their innovations have generated over $3 trillion in revenue. I'm proud and grateful to be among their ranks," said Salem.