Faculty elected to National Academy of Engineering

By Matthew Chin

Three faculty members of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), among the highest professional distinctions awarded to an engineer.

The election to NAE of M.C. Frank Chang, professor of electrical engineering; Yahya Rahmat-Samii, distinguished professor of electrical engineering; and William W-G Yeh, distinguished professor of civil and environmental engineering, brings to 22 the number of UCLA Engineering faculty who are members of the of the National Academy of Engineering.

UCLA, along with Harvard University and UC Berkeley, had the most new members among institutions for 2008, of 65 U.S. members and nine foreign associates elected this year.

"Bill, Frank and Yahya are truly outstanding scholars and engineers and they are richly deserving of this special honor," said Vijay K. Dhir, UCLA Engineering dean. "They each have made world-changing contributions to their respective fields, and we are delighted that their exemplary careers have been recognized."

Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice or education. Established in 1964, the academy shares responsibility with the National Academy of Sciences for advising the federal government on questions of policy in science and technology.