The National Academy of Engineering has elected two distinguished scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) as members of its 2026 class. This prestigious recognition highlights their significant contributions to the field of engineering and technology.
Jennifer Doudna and Nitash Balsara were among 130 new members and 28 international members honored for their exceptional work. Election to the National Academy of Engineering is a mark of professional excellence, celebrating those who have made outstanding contributions in engineering practice, research, or education.
Jennifer Doudna serves as a faculty scientist in the Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging (MBIB) Division and is also a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Her groundbreaking research in DNA and RNA editing methods utilizing the CRISPR-Cas9 technology has had profound implications in genetics and biotechnology. Joining Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley in 2002, Doudna focused her research on RNA molecules and their various functions within cells.
In 2008, she initially explored CRISPR arrays—repeated sequences found in bacterial genomes—thanks to funding from a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program award. This pivotal research revealed how components of the bacterial immune system can neutralize future threats by cutting invasive DNA and storing segments to recognize viruses. In collaboration with Emmanuelle Charpentier, Doudna later refined the CRISPR-Cas9 system, enabling precise genetic modifications across diverse organisms. Their revolutionary technique was published in 2012 and subsequently earned them the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
In addition to her recent honor, Doudna was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 2025, recognizing her as a leading figure in technological advancements. She is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).
On the other hand, Nitash Balsara holds the position of faculty senior scientist in the Materials Science Division at Berkeley Lab and is a professor of chemical engineering at UC Berkeley. His election to the Academy acknowledges his work in understanding the relationship between mechanical and electrical properties in block copolymer electrolytes, aimed at developing solid electrolytes for rechargeable batteries.
Balsara’s expertise in polymer science plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries. His research group designs and tests materials for battery applications while employing advanced characterization techniques to gain insights at the molecular level. Notably, Balsara’s team was the first to capture real-time three-dimensional images of charge state changes within a lithium-ion battery, a breakthrough that could help mitigate risks associated with thermal runaway during rapid charging.
Since joining Berkeley Lab in 2000, Balsara has led the Lab’s Soft Matter Electron Microscopy Program for over 16 years. He has also been a principal investigator at the DOE Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) throughout its ten-year tenure. His contributions to the field have earned him several accolades, including an R&D 100 Award and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Charles M.A. Stine Award for Excellence in Materials Engineering and Science.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is renowned for its commitment to groundbreaking research, focusing on discovery science and solutions for sustainable energy supplies. The laboratory’s expertise encompasses a wide array of disciplines, including materials science, chemistry, physics, and biology. Established in 1931, Berkeley Lab has become a cornerstone of scientific inquiry, with its researchers relying on world-class facilities to drive innovation.
As a multiprogram national laboratory managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, Berkeley Lab continues to address some of the most pressing challenges in the physical sciences. The Office of Science serves as the largest supporter of basic research in this field across the United States, illustrating the significance of the work conducted at Berkeley Lab.
For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
