Monica Lam, a professor of computer science, and Karl Deisseroth, a professor of bioengineering and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). The pair are among 86 who will join the Academy this year.

From left, Karl Deisseroth and Monica Lam. (Image credit: Steve Fisch and Joel Simon)

The NAE cited Lam for her contributions to the design of advanced compiler and analysis systems for high-performance computers. A professor of computer science with a courtesy appointment in electrical engineering, Lam is faculty director of the Stanford MobiSocial Laboratory, where she works with faculty and student collaborators to create human-centered technology that empowers individuals while protecting their data privacy. Among other initiatives, she is currently leading the Open Virtual Assistant project, an open-source effort to develop and share technology designed to allow people to use natural language to train the virtual digital assistants on smartphones and similar devices.

Deisseroth, the D.H. Chen Professor, was honored for pioneering molecular and optical tools for discovery and control of neuronal signals affecting behavior in health and disease. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine, and is one of only 22 people elected to all three of the national academies.

The NAE’s announcement brings its membership to 2,297 U.S. members and 272 foreign members, including 117 Stanford faculty. This year’s induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 6, 2019, at the academy’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

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Deisseroth is a member of Stanford Bio-X and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.