The National Academy of Inventors has recognized two researchers from the University of California, Irvine, as fellows. Hamid Jafarkhani, Chancellor’s Professor of electrical engineering and computer science, was honored for his work in signal processing for multi-antenna wireless communications systems. Jianhua Yu, a professor in medicine, hematology, and oncology, received recognition for developing new cancer therapies.
Hal Stern, provost and executive vice chancellor at UC Irvine, expressed pride in the achievement: “We are proud to have two UC Irvine faculty members selected as fellows by the National Academy of Inventors. Both researchers have successfully translated their research into significant applications in society. Professor Jafarkhani’s contributions in wireless communications have had broad benefits, and Professor Yu’s work addresses a critical need to develop new cancer treatments.”
Jafarkhani serves as director of UC Irvine’s Center for Pervasive Communications and Computing. His expertise lies in communications theory with a focus on signal processing and machine learning. He is also affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
“I am deeply proud to have received this honor from the National Academy of Inventors,” Jafarkhani said. “I have spent my career at UC Irvine working on the foundational aspects of technologies that touch the lives of nearly every person on Earth, and I hope to continue creating inventions that help people, the economy and society as a whole.”
Yu joined UC Irvine’s School of Medicine earlier this year. His research is centered on using innate immunity to treat cancers. He is noted for pioneering chimeric antigen receptor natural killer cells as a cancer treatment method.
“This fellowship from the National Academy of Inventors is deeply rewarding,” said Yu. “My life’s work is centered on laboratory research to derive new ways to fight cancer. Recognition from the NAI and continued support by the School of Medicine inspires me to pursue my research.”
NAI President Dr. Paul Sanberg commented on this year's class: “This year’s Class of NAI Fellows represents a truly impressive caliber of inventors... Through their work, they are making significant contributions to science, creating lasting societal impact, and growing the economy.”
The 170 newly named NAI fellows will be inducted during a ceremony at the 2025 NAI Annual Conference in Atlanta.
UC Irvine now boasts 20 fellows from the National Academy of Inventors among its ranks along with nearly 700 active U.S. patents.
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