Jennifer West, the Fitzpatrick Family University Professor of Engineering at Duke University, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)—one of the highest professional distinctions for engineers.

West was cited “For developments in photothermal and theranostic therapies and bioabsorbed scaffolds for tissue regeneration.”

“Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the top honors an engineer can achieve in a lifetime,” said George A. Truskey, interim dean of the Pratt School of Engineering. “We are extremely proud that the NAE has recognized the outstanding contributions of not only one of our leading faculty members, but also two other individuals who have played important roles in the Pratt School’s ascent.”

Jennifer West joined Duke in 2012 from Rice University, where she was chair of the bioengineering department. She holds a joint professorship in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering and materials science at Duke, and is also a professor of cell biology and of chemistry, member of the Duke Cancer Institute, and associate dean for PhD education at Pratt.