National Academy of Inventors announces Carle Illinois’ Dean King Li as 2021 NAI Fellow

December 7, 2021
bethhart@illinois.edu

Written by bethhart@illinois.edu

Dean King Li selected as Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
Dean King Li selected as Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

Carle Illinois College of Medicine’s Dean King Li has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction awarded exclusively to academic inventors.

King Li - dean, College of Medicine
King Li – dean, College of Medicine

Election to NAI Fellow status is bestowed solely to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and welfare of society.

“Dean Li is most deserving of this international recognition. His seminal contributions to the fields of medicine and medical imaging technology serve as prime examples of the value and impact that innovations in medicine can have toward improving the human condition, and toward bringing about change. His leadership contributions to Carle Illinois College of Medicine represent yet another chapter in his meritorious career as an innovator and inventor, but also serve as a model for our medical students and physician innovators,” said Stephen Boppart, Carle Illinois’ Executive Associate Dean and Chief Diversity Officer, who nominated Li for the NAI fellowship.

Li is a renowned researcher, educator, inventor, scholar, and clinician specializing in molecular imaging and radiology. He holds 16 patents with another six pending, and four disclosures for new inventions since joining the Carle Illinois College of Medicine in 2016. He holds both an M.D. degree and an M.B.A. and has led the development of Carle Illinois’ unique approach to medical education that emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship in solving health care problems.

An induction ceremony for new NAI fellows is scheduled for June in Phoenix, Arizona. The NAI is comprised of more than 4,000 individual members globally and is dedicated to encouraging the work of academic inventors as they pursue new discoveries.

Dean Li was named the inaugural dean and chief academic officer of Carle Illinois College of Medicine in 2016. Earlier this year, he announced his retirement, effective in late December of 2021.


Share this story

This story was published December 7, 2021.