ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico. December 11, 2025 – Eric R. Prossnitz, PhD of the University of New Mexico has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors. Together, the 2025 class hold more than 5,300 U.S. patents and include recipients of the Nobel Prize, the National Medals of Science and Technology & Innovation, and members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, among others. This year’s 169 U.S. Fellows represent 127 universities, government agencies, and research institutions, across 40 U.S. states.
Spanning every major field of discovery, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and regenerative medicine, NAI Fellows are tackling the biggest and most pressing issues of our time. Their success in translating research into products and services that improve lives demonstrates the continuing importance of the U.S. patent system.
The NAI Fellows program was founded in 2012 and has grown to include 2,253 distinguished researchers and innovators, who hold over 86,000 U.S. patents and 20,000 licensed technologies. Their innovations have generated an estimated $3.8 trillion in revenue and 1.4 million jobs.
“NAI Fellows are a driving force within the innovation ecosystem, and their contributions across scientific disciplines are shaping the future of our world,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the National Academy of Inventors. “We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of Fellows to the Academy. They are truly an impressive cohort, and we look forward to honoring them at our 15th Annual Conference in Los Angeles next year.”
The 2025 Class of Fellows will be honored and presented their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at the NAI 15th Annual Conference on June 4th, 2026, taking place in Los Angeles, California.
2025 NAI Fellow – Eric R. Prossnitz, PhD
Eric R. Prossnitz, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine and Chief of the Division of Molecular Medicine at the UNM Health Sciences Center, where he also holds the Maralyn S. Budke Endowed Chair of Cancer Chemical Biology and Therapeutics.
For nearly three decades, Dr. Prossnitz has been at the forefront of research on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a major class of cell surface receptors that are targets for nearly one-third of FDA-approved drugs. His pioneering work on the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) has led to significant insights in cancer biology, metabolic disease, and cardiovascular function. His translational discoveries have resulted in many U.S. patents, the development of first-in-class therapeutic agents, and several startups have spurred to commercialize his research. With continuous NIH funding as a principal investigator since 1994, his work has led and contributed to more than $50 million in funding at UNM as PI or Co-I.
Dr. Prossnitz was nominated for this national honor by the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors. Board Chair Sandra Begay stated: “We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Prossnitz on this well-deserved recognition. His scientific leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing research continues to elevate UNM’s impact nationally and globally.”