#Innovation #Technology #IEEE

IEEE's 2026 Medal Recipients: Pioneers Shaping Our Future

IEEE, recognized as the world’s largest technical professional organization, has recently announced its prestigious 2026 IEEE Medal recipients. This yearly acknowledgement honors innovators and leaders who have made significant advancements in technology benefiting humanity. The 2026 recipients exemplify dedication, creativity, and leadership in technological fields, sparking progress that impacts millions globally.

The honorees of 2026 have made remarkable contributions that enhance critical infrastructure, promote human understanding, advance healthcare solutions, and foster new communication methods. Their visionary work plays a crucial role in shaping a connected, sustainable, and equitable global future.

Kathleen Kramer, the 2025 IEEE President and CEO, remarked, “Each year, the IEEE Medals celebrate those whose work has not only fundamentally advanced technology but also improved the human condition. The 2026 honorees exemplify the ingenuity, scientific excellence, and global impact that define our organization and inspire the next generation.”

Here are the notable recipients of the 2026 IEEE medals:

• - IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal (Sponsored by IBM): Luis von Ahn — Duolingo. Recognized for creating CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA, as well as pioneering human computation research. His innovations have fortified the security of global internet infrastructure and enhanced access to education.
• - IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal (Sponsored by Nokia Bell Labs): Scott J. Shenker — UC Berkeley. Honored for his groundbreaking research in computer networking and internet architecture, which forms the backbone of cloud computing and modern data centers.
• - IEEE Jagadish Chandra Bose Medal (Sponsored by Mani L. Bhaumik): Erik Dahlman, Stefan Parkvall, Johan Sköld — Ericsson. Celebrated for their pivotal efforts in developing LTE (4G) and 5G standards, crucial for mobile broadband and the Internet of Things (IoT).
• - IEEE Mildred Dresselhaus Medal (Sponsored by Google, LLC): Karen Ann Panetta — Tufts University. Acknowledged for her significant contributions in image processing and her advocacy for women in engineering.
• - IEEE Edison Medal (Sponsored by the Edison Medal Fund): Eric A. Swanson — MIT. Co-inventor of optical coherence tomography (OCT), which has transformed clinical approaches to diagnosing major eye diseases.
• - IEEE Medal for Environmental and Safety Technologies (Sponsored by Toyota Motor Corporation): Wei-Jen Lee — University of Texas. Recognized for his leadership in electric power systems, enhancing grid reliability, and promoting clean energy usage.
• - IEEE Founders Medal (Sponsored by the IEEE Foundation): Marian R. Croak — Google. Pioneer of VoIP technologies and driving force behind mobile donation platforms that redefine global communication systems.
• - IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal (Sponsored by Qualcomm, Inc.): Muriel Médard — MIT. Notable for her breakthroughs in network coding and information theory, improving data transmission reliability.
• - IEEE Medal for Innovations in Healthcare Technologies (Sponsored by the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society): Rosalind W. Picard — MIT. Founder of affective computing and developer of wearable technologies for health monitoring, impacting mental healthcare positively.
• - IEEE Nick Holonyak, Jr. Medal (Sponsored by Friends of Nick Holonyak, Jr.): Steven P. DenBaars — UC Santa Barbara. Pioneered gallium nitride semiconductors, leading to advances in energy-efficient lighting.
• - IEEE Jack S. Kilby Medal (Sponsored by Apple): **Biing-Hwang