Raghuraman Kannan, Professor of Radiology and Bioengineering
Indian cancer researcher Raghuraman Kannan has been elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), making him one of the most influential academic inventors in the United States, the University of Missouri announced.
Kannan is one of two University of Missouri professors named to the prestigious 2025 class of NAI Fellows. The other new addition is Henry Nguyen, a professor of plant genetics at the university.
The recognition highlights the growing contribution of scientists of Indian origin to cutting-edge research and innovation in the US, particularly in areas with global health implications.
According to the NAI, grantees are selected to create or support inventions that have demonstrated a measurable impact on the quality of life, economic development and societal well-being.
Kannan is a Curators’ Distinguished Professor and holds the Michael J. and Sharon R. Bukstein Chair in Cancer Research. He holds joint appointments in the university’s School of Medicine and College of Engineering and serves as associate director of the immuno-oncology and therapeutics program at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.
The University of Missouri said Kannan has developed a library of nanoparticle-based drug delivery platforms that selectively target cancer tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
His research is being advanced to treat lung, ovarian, breast, pancreatic and liver cancers. He holds 65 issued patents, including 12 active patents in the United States.
“Being named a NAI Fellow is a great honor,” Kannan said in a university statement.
“This recognition goes to my colleagues, staff and students as well as to me.” The second candidate, Nguyen, is internationally recognized for his work in plant genetics and biotechnology, with a focus on improving crop resilience through genomic technologies. He holds five issued patents, including an active US patent, the university said.
Kannan and Nguyen will be formally introduced at the NAI’s annual conference in Los Angeles this summer.
The 2025 class of NAI Fellows holds a total of more than 5,300 U.S. patents and represents 127 universities, government agencies and research institutions in 40 states, according to the academy.
Published on December 16, 2025