The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) selected a College of Engineering professor and two alumni for membership during its national elections in February. The individuals recognized were Arkadi Nemirovski, Paula Hammond and James Crocker.

Each year, the NAE recognizes the nation’s foremost professional engineers, those who have made significant contributions to the field through the pioneering of new technology or the publishing of groundbreaking literature. NAE members work to improve the well-being of the United States through encouraging and recognizing outstanding advancements in engineering.

​Nemirovski (right), a professor in the Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering, was recognized by the NAE for his contributions to engineering through “the development of efficient algorithms for large-scale convex optimization problems,” according to a statement released by the NAE.

In addition, he holds the John Hunter Chair in the Stewart School and is an expert in convex and continuous optimization. He does research in analytics, big data and statistics.

Also recognized was Hammond, M.S. ChBE 1988, for her contributions to “self-assembly of polyelectrolytes, colloids and block copolymers at surfaces and interfaces for energy and health care applications,” according to the NAE. She is currently a David H. Koch Professor and head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s department of chemical engineering.

Crocker, B.S. EE 1971, was elected a member of the NAE for his work in the fields of astrophysics and planetary exploration. He is currently vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin.

These engineers are among 84 members from the United States and 22 foreign members elected this year. They join the ranks of more than 2,000 other NAE members and will be formally inducted in October.