The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) congratulates Professor Abdoulaye Ndao, a distinguished scientist and Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS), on being named a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in recognition of his outstanding achievements in innovation and technological advancement.

The National Academy of Inventors Senior Member designation recognizes researchers who have demonstrated exceptional innovation with the potential to bring real-world impact. Honorees are celebrated not only for their inventive contributions but also for their track record in securing patents, advancing commercialization, and mentoring the next generation of innovators.

A professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, Prof Ndao is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in next-generation optical technologies. His research explores how light interacts with matter at the nanometer scale, enabling the detection and study of extremely small biological substances that were previously difficult to observe.

At the heart of Prof Ndao’s innovation is the development of advanced metadevices—engineered materials designed to manipulate light in extraordinary ways for sensing and imaging applications. His team has created light-based sensors capable of detecting biological molecules more than 100 times smaller than previously possible, opening new frontiers for biomedical diagnostics and scientific discovery.

Prof Ndao’s scientific achievements have earned him numerous international honors, including the Sloan Research Fellowship in Physics, Beckman Young Investigator Award, Hellman Fellowship, iCANX Young Scientist Award, and the Reidy Family Career Development Professorship.

His recognition by the National Academy of Inventors further highlights the global impact of African scientists and innovators. As a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, Prof Ndao embodies the Academy’s commitment to recognizing excellence and supporting researchers whose discoveries advance knowledge and improve lives worldwide.