Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to “engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature,” and to the “pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.”
 Mark J. Kushner is the George I. Haddad Collegiate Professor and director, Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was elected for his “contributions to low-temperature plasmas for semiconductors, optics, and thin-film manufacturing.” In 2009, Kushner received the UCLA Engineering Alumni Achievement in Academia award. He received his bachelor’s degrees from UCLA in engineering and in astronomy. His full biography is available here: http://www.eecs.umich.edu/eecs/about/articles/2011/kushner-nae.html |
 Asad M. Madni is the retired president and chief technical officer of BEI Technologies, Inc.; and is an independent consultant. He holds an adjunct professor appointment at Ryerson University as well as the title of “Distinguished College Professor” at TCI College of Technology. Madni was elected for “contributions to development and commercialization of sensors and systems for aerospace and automotive safety.” Madni is the recipient of UCLA Engineering’s 2004 Alumnus of the Year Award; the 2002 Professional Achievement Award; and the 2010 Lifetime Contribution Award. He is currently president of the Engineering Alumni Association and the chairman of the Electrical Engineering Alumni Advisory Board at UCLA Engineering. Madni received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UCLA in engineering. His full biography is available here: https://www.ee.ucla.edu/asad-m-madni/ |
 Joanne M. Maguire is the executive vice president for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. Maguire received the 2010 UCLA Engineering Alumni Professional Achievement Award. She was elected for “individual and team leadership of successful space programs.” Maguire received her master’s degree from UCLA in engineering. |
“Mark, Asad and Joanne have each made important contributions to their respective fields and are very worthy of this most prestigious of honors in election to the National Academy of Engineering,” said Vijay K. Dhir, dean of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. “On behalf of the school, I would like to congratulate them on this recognition. Certainly the entire UCLA Engineering community can be very proud of the accomplishments of these three engineers, who have reached the highest level of our profession.”