Pinku Mukherjee and Matthew Parrow named to 2026 Class of National Academy of Inventors Senior Members
Pinku Mukherjee and Matthew W. Parrow have been named to the 2026 Class of Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors, a recognition honoring academic inventors whose work has made a measurable impact through patents, commercialization and mentorship.
“The induction of these faculty members is an extraordinary achievement and a powerful recognition of the University’s growing influence in innovation and technology commercialization,” said Laura Peter, executive director of intellectual property and technology transfer.
Translating life science discovery into societal benefit
Pinku Mukherjee, Irwin Belk Distinguished Professor of Cancer Research, is recognized for translational oncology research spanning tumor immunology, biomarker discovery and therapeutic development.
She is the sole inventor of the OncoTAb antibody, which led to early‑detection blood tests for breast cancer and the founding of OncoTAb, Inc. Pinku’s contributions earned the O. Max Gardner Award, the UNC Board of Governors’ highest faculty honor.
Matthew W. Parrow, professor of biological sciences and associate dean for academic administration in the Klein College of Science, advances microbiology and biotechnology solutions for environmental and public health challenges.
He is co‑inventor on a U.S. patent for lignocellulosic treatments supporting sustainable biomass use. Parrow’s collaboration with Kyoung Hee Kim on a microalgae‑based biochromic window system earned a 2021 Architect Magazine R+D Award and is already installed in test form on campus. He has also served on the University’s Faculty Patent Committee for more than five years.
National recognition, lasting impact
The 2026 class of NAI Senior Members includes 230 inventors from 82 institutions worldwide, the largest cohort in program history. Senior Members will be inducted at NAI’s 15th Annual Conference, June 1-4, in Los Angeles.
UNC Charlotte’s first inductees were in the 2025 class, with five faculty named Senior Members from the Klein College of Science.
Three other Charlotte faculty members were also named to the 2026 class, including Sukumar Kamalasadan, Duke Energy Distinguished Professor of Electric Power Engineering; Babak Parkhideh, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Kyoung Hee Kim, professor of architecture and director of the Integrated Design Research Lab.