Dr. Aydogan Ozcan elected to the National Academy of Engineering

The Turkish American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA) extends its warmest congratulations to Prof. Aydogan Ozcan, Chancellor’s Professor and Volgenau Chair for Engineering Innovation at UCLA’s Samueli School of Engineering, on his election to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) on February 11, 2025. He is one of the only 128 engineers nationwide and 22 international members elected today to receive one of the highest professional honors in engineering.

Prof. Ozcan was cited by the NAE for his “contributions to mobile sensing and telepathology for medical diagnostics,” pioneering work that has transformed point‑of‑care testing and broadened access to advanced biomedical measurements worldwide. A leader in computational optics, he has developed lens‑free, AI‑enhanced imaging and sensing platforms that convert ordinary smartphones and low‑cost devices into powerful diagnostic tools—innovations now deployed in both resource‑limited settings and cutting‑edge research labs.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Prof. Ozcan serves as Associate Director of Entrepreneurship at the California NanoSystems Institute and is an HHMI Professor. He holds more than 85 patents, is among the world’s most highly cited researchers, and has co‑founded three startup companies to translate his discoveries into real‑world impact. His recent recognitions include the 2022 Joseph Fraunhofer Award/Robert M. Burley Prize from Optica and the 2023 Dennis Gabor Award from SPIE.

Born and educated in Turkey (B.S., Bilkent University) before earning his Ph.D. at Stanford University and joining UCLA in 2007, Prof. Ozcan exemplifies the global excellence and entrepreneurial spirit that TASSA strives to highlight within the Turkish‑American scientific community.

TASSA applauds Prof. Ozcan’s election to the NAE and celebrates the international significance of his achievements. We look forward to following—and sharing—his continued contributions at the intersection of engineering, optics, and biomedical innovation.