University of Florida announces the 2025 National Academy of Inventors Senior Members

Nian Wang, J. R. (Rip) Graves Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair at UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and Piyush Jain, Exxon Mobil Gator Alumni Faculty Endowed Professor and associate professor in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors, the organization announced today.

They are part of the 162 emerging academic inventors identified by National Academy of Inventors member institutions and welcomed to their 2025 class of Senior Members. This year’s class of Senior Members is the largest to date and come from 64 National Academy of Inventors member institutions across the nation.

Wang is a preeminent leader in citrus biotech research. He has made significant contributions to innovation through his groundbreaking work in plant-bacteria interactions and genetic improvement of citrus using CRISPR genome editing technology. The CRISPR technology is being used to improve citrus resistance against Huanglongbing, commonly called citrus greening, which is the most devastating citrus disease worldwide.

“I am honored to be named a Senior Member by the National Academy of Inventors,” said Wang. “I am grateful to the members of my lab for their hard and dedicated work. I hope the inventions we have created will positively impact and benefit our citrus industry.” 

Jain and his team created diagnostics and a comprehensive suite of precise genome-editing tools using CRISPR, a gene editing tool that allows scientists to modify DNA in living organisms. They have filed more than 40 patents, launched multiple startup ventures, and demonstrated how these innovations can potentially transform disease detection and treatment on a global scale. Last year they were awarded $2.8 million from the National Institutes of Health to develop an at-home HIV test kit that could save millions of lives.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors,” said Jain. “This distinction is a testament to the dedication of my research team, and I look forward to building on this momentum, ensuring that our breakthroughs not only expand scientific frontiers but also bring tangible healthcare solutions to those who need them most.”

The 2025 class of Senior Members will be celebrated during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at NAI’s 14th Annual Conference in June in Atlanta.