National Academy of Inventors honors Steven H. Liang as a 2026 Senior Member
June 26, 2026 Ethan Fogus
Steven Liang (second from left) received his award at the 2026 National Academy of Inventors inductee ceremony. Pictured with Liang are (L-R) Paul R. Sanberg, John A. Squires and Sethuraman Panchanathan. Photo by Mark Skalny.
The National Academy of Inventors named Steven H. Liang, associate professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, to its 2026 Senior Members Class. Since 2010, the academy has celebrated notable patent awards by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Liang is the inventor of more than 10 granted and pending patent applications related to radiopharmaceuticals and related companion radiotherapeutic agents.
“This year’s Senior Member Class is a truly impressive cohort. These innovators come from a variety of fields and disciplines, translating their technologies into tangible impact,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors.
Liang’s lab develops radioactive drugs using highly sophisticated imaging tools. These tools essentially let scientists watch drugs in action as they affect the human body. Having a window into the body allows Liang to design better treatments faster, with fewer risks and more successful trials. He hopes to help people living with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and other neurological conditions. Numerous National Institutes of Health grants and industry contracts support his research.
Liang also serves in multiple leadership roles at Emory, including within the Center for Systems Imaging Core as the endowed director of the Radiochemistry, Cyclotron Facility and Radiopharmacy Center. Additionally, he heads the Emory Positron Emission Tomography Center. His extensive awards and honors include the Berson-Yalow Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, the Albert E. Levy Award for Excellence in Scientific Research and the Innovation for Impact award.
Emory’s unique research ecosystem has fueled Liang’s discoveries. “Emory’s facilities and culture of supporting innovation have been vital,” observes Liang. “By collaborating with stellar Emory faculty members in translational brain research, we’ve effectively and quickly advanced clinical investigation and drug discovery.”
He adds, “Being a Senior Member of The National Academy of Inventors opens doors for advancing innovative imaging technologies for testing novel neurotherapeutics, ultimately helping the millions of people who are living with neurodegenerative disease.”
View the 2026 Class of Senior Members list.
