Two NJIT Faculty Elected as National Academy of Inventors Senior Members
New Jersey Institute of Technology Professors Vivek Kumar and Xuan Liu have been named as Senior Members in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2025 class. They join 162 emerging academic inventors from 64 NAI Member Institutions across the nation recognized for their outstanding contributions to innovation.
Kumar, associate professor of biomedical engineering, and Liu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, are part of the largest class to date, collectively holding over 1,200 U.S. patents.
“We are incredibly proud to have Professors Kumar and Liu join the ranks of NAI Senior Members,” said Atam Dhawan, senior vice provost for research at NJIT. “Their dedication to research, invention and mentorship embodies the spirit of innovation that NJIT fosters. This recognition highlights their significant contributions to their respective fields and underscores NJIT's commitment to advancing impactful research and translating discoveries into real-world applications.”
Vivek Kumar: Pioneering biomaterial innovations
Kumar, director of the Biomaterial Drug Development, Discovery and Delivery Laboratory, conducts research at the intersection of biomolecular engineering, materials science and synthetic peptide chemistry. His lab has produced a number of publications and patents, garnered more than 2,500 citations and mentored over 80 students, including high school outreach and mentoring programs. Kumar is actively engaged with the startup community and pharmaceutical industry, possessing extensive experience in translating therapeutics from ideation to clinical studies.
Kumar’s research addresses critical health challenges. His lab is developing a hydrogel therapy to protect neurons and promote regeneration after traumatic brain injury, supported by a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. In another project, Kumar and his collaborators are developing a cell-free, injectable hydrogel to regenerate lost tooth tissue after root canals, potentially revolutionizing dental care. His team is also exploring a novel hydrogel therapy that acts as a first line of defense against viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, by preventing them from attaching to and entering cells.
Xuan Liu: Advancing nanotechnology and optical imaging
Liu, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is affiliated with NJIT’s Electronic Imaging Center, an interdisciplinary center focused on nanotechnology, spectral analysis with subwavelength structures and energy. Her research explores diverse areas, including nanotechnology for applications in agriculture, energy and pharmaceuticals; spectroscopy with subwavelength structures for pollution detection and high-resolution imaging; and energy transmission, delivery and storage.
Liu’s work has resulted in important advancements in optical imaging. She holds a patent for a novel scan-less optical coherence tomography (OCT) system that utilizes a spatial light modulator and optical computing techniques to achieve faster 3D image acquisition without mechanical scanning. This technology has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics and research, particularly in areas such as brain imaging and cardiovascular evaluation. Her research has also led to the development of a miniature fiber-optic force sensor for vitreoretinal microsurgery, potentially improving surgical outcomes by providing tactile feedback to surgeons.
Kumar and Liu will be celebrated during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at the NAI’s 14th Annual Conference, held June 23-26, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference provides a premier opportunity for innovators to share ideas, foster collaborations, and celebrate advancements in invention.
The NAI Senior Member program recognizes outstanding innovators from NAI Member Institutions who have demonstrated remarkable success in patents, licensing, and commercialization. It is an exclusive opportunity for these institutions to honor their inventive faculty and staff, promoting a culture of innovation and invention.
