UC San Diego Celebrates Three New National Academy of Engineering Members

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Three members of the University of California San Diego community have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), which is one of the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.

NAE members are highly accomplished engineering professionals representing a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines working in business, academia, and government.

Robert W. Heath Jr. is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering where he holds the Charles Lee Powell Chair in Wireless Communications. Heath is being recognized by the NAE “for contributions to the theory and practice of wireless communication.”

Richard Sandstrom’72, PhD ’79, is being recognized for contributions and leadership in the development of commercial quality micro lithography DUV lasers and EUV light sources, enabling nanoscale chip manufacturing.

Doug Cameron is co-president and director, First Green Partners. He is a member of the Jacobs School of Engineering’s Dean’s Council of Advisors and a biomanufacturing advisor to the School. Cameron is being recognized for driving the chimerical development of a synthetic, biology-based, environmentally friendly bioprocess for biofuels, food security, and industrial chemicals.

“I am absolutely thrilled to congratulate Robert Heath, Rick Sandstrom and Doug Cameron for their election to the NAE,” said Albert P. Pisano, Dean of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and Special Adviser to the Chancellor. “Robert Heath’s election highlights our incredible research and teaching strengths in wireless communications. Rick Sandstrom’s election highlights the power of innovation and entrepreneurship of our alumni. Doug Cameron’s election highlights the many ways in which the Jacobs School connects with industry leaders in our efforts to maximize the positive impacts of cross-discipline research efforts.”

Robert W. Heath Jr

Over the past 25 years, Heath has advanced MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology, which uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to enhance wireless communication. His research has played a key role in improving data rates and reliability in MIMO communication, enabling it to work well in commercial wireless systems. The techniques that his group developed are now widely used in wireless local area networking systems and 4G/5G cellular standards. Heath is the co-inventor on more than 65 U.S. patents and has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, Fellow of the IEEE, and a Fellow of the AAAS.

Heath’s research at UC San Diego involves developing MIMO communication for 6G and beyond including the integration of reconfigurable antennas and the applications of AI/ML technologies to improve the ability of wireless systems to better adapt to their operating environment.

“I see MIMO technology playing important roles in the future of wireless communication. As someone who has been working at the forefront of MIMO technology for years, I am excited about the opportunities to train graduate students and deepen research partnerships at the intersection of artificial intelligence, communication theory and MIMO technology,” said Heath. “Our research at UC San Diego is going to enable the next generation of MIMO technology to exploit 10x more antennas that are possible today. The future is bright for wireless communications.”

Richard Sandstrom ’72, PhD ’79

Sandstrom, together with fellow UC San Diego alumnus Bob Akins, founded Cymer, Inc, a world-leading developer of lithography light sources, which are used by computer chip manufacturers around the globe. Cymer was acquired by ASML in 2013.

Sandstrom completed his entire university education in applied mathematics and engineering science at UC San Diego. He received his undergraduate degree in Physics from UC San Diego in 1972, and his Ph.D. in Engineering Physics from the applied mathematics and engineering science department in 1979. As a graduate student, Sandstrom was advised by Professor Shao-chi Lin, a specialist in gas dynamics who helped to instill in Sandstrom the desire to advance engineering in order to make real-world impacts.

As a couple, Sandstrom and UC San Diego alumna Sandra Timmons are passionate about their alma mater and helping future students achieve the same world-class education they received at UC San Diego. This generosity spans the campus broadly and includes support for graduate students in the Jacobs School of Engineering; support for undergraduates through the Chancellor’s Associates Scholars program, Summer Bridge and OASIS; support for faculty; and support for high school students at The Preuss School UC San Diego.

Doug Cameron

Doug Cameron is co-president and director, First Green Partners. At UC San Diego, he is a member of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering Dean’s Council of Advisors. He is a trusted interlocutor regarding the Jacobs School’s growing efforts in the area of biomanufacturing. Cameron is a technology investor and advisor in food, agriculture and applied biology. He is a past director of biotechnology and chief scientist at Cargill, Inc. and a professor emeritus of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.