PRESS RELEASE
AAASE 2026 Biennial Summit and Fellow Induction Ceremony
November 7-8, 2026
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
The Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) is pleased to announce its 2026 Biennial Summit and Fellow Induction Ceremony, taking place November 7-8, 2026, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The landmark event will bring together distinguished leaders in science, technology, engineering, and innovation to celebrate the achievements of the 2026 Fellows, hear from prominent speakers, and engage in discussions on issues shaping the future of science and technology.
Event Overview:
The AAASE 2026 Summit will foster collaboration, innovation, and leadership within the Asian American scientific and engineering communities. Attendees will have opportunities to engage with leading experts, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and learn about emerging research and developments. Bringing together academia, industry, and policy, the summit will highlight important challenges and opportunities in science and technology while strengthening connections across the community.
Induction of 2026 AAASE Fellows
A centerpiece of the summit will be the induction of ten distinguished leaders as the 2026 AAASE Fellows. The new Fellows represent exceptional achievement across engineering, biomedical science, manufacturing, energy, semiconductors, electronic materials, and other fields. Their careers exemplify the breadth of contributions that Asian American scientists and engineers make to innovation and society.
Jian Cao – a leader in sustainable and flexible manufacturing processes and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering. (Northwestern University).
Zhijian “James” Chen – a distinguished biomedical scientist recognized for discovering the cGAS–STING pathway and its foundational role in innate immunity. Elected Member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, Foreign Member of the Royal Society, and recipient of the Lasker Award, the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize, NAS Award, Breakthrough Prize, Japan Prize, et. al. (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute).
Gang Chen – a pioneering researcher in nanoscale heat transfer and energy conversion and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. (MIT).
Selda Gunsel – a technology executive and innovator whose career spans advanced fuels, lubricants, industrial research and development, and global technology strategy, and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering. (CTO, Shell).
S. Jack Hu – a leader in manufacturing systems and academic administration and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering. (Chancellor, UC Riverside).
Qinhuang Lin – recognized for innovations in electronic materials that have advanced integrated-circuit manufacturing and technology development and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering (Canon Nanotechnologies, Inc).
Lip-Bu Tan – a globally recognized entrepreneur, investor, and technology industry leader in the semiconductor and technology sectors. (CEO, Intel Corporation).
Evelyn Wang – a leading researcher in thermal energy systems and a national leader in energy innovation and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering. (VP, MIT).
C. P. Wong – recognized for contributions to electronic packaging materials and technologies and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering. (Georgia Institute of Technology).
Vigor Yang – recognized for foundational contributions to combustion and propulsion science and an elected Member of the National Academy of Engineering. (Georgia Institute of Technology).
Keynote Speakers and Sessions:
The summit will feature keynote speakers drawn from AAASE Fellows and other invited leaders in U.S. science and engineering. These leaders represent outstanding achievement in their fields and serve as role models for the broader scientific and engineering community. Their accomplishments highlight the important contributions of Asian Americans to innovation and progress in STEM (Scientific program and speakers will be announced separately).
Legal and Policy Panels
The summit will also include legal and policy discussions addressing issues of importance to scientists, engineers, technology leaders, and the broader STEM community. These sessions will provide an opportunity to examine the intersection of science, technology, law, policy, and innovation and to encourage informed dialogue among leaders from academia, industry, and the public sector.
High School Design Project Competition:
A summit highlight will be the final round of the high school design project competition, featuring top teams from the prestigious AAASE Princeton and MIT Summer Academies. These young innovators will present their projects and demonstrate the creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities that represent the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Mentor/Mentee Luncheon
Students, junior scientists, and engineers will meet with professors, established scientists and engineers, AAASE Lifetime Members, AAASE Fellows, and academic and industrial leaders to seek career advice and mentorship in a relaxed lunch setting. First registration, first served.
About AAASE:
The Asian American Academy of Science and Engineering (AAASE) was established to advance and promote the scientific and engineering contributions of Asian Americans. AAASE fosters a collaborative network of scientists, engineers, and professionals; advocates for recognition and inclusion of Asian Americans in STEM fields; and provides mentorship and support for emerging scientists and engineers.
Registration and Contact:
For more information and to register for the AAASE 2026 Biennial Summit and Fellow Induction Ceremony, please visit our website at [Insert Weblink].
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a landmark gathering that brings together thought leaders, innovators, and future trailblazers in science, engineering, technology, and innovation.
