Friis, Soper Recognized for Academic Invention

The National Academy of Inventors recently recognized two KU School of Engineering faculty members for career achievements.

In December, Steve Soper was named to the 2025 Class of NAI Fellows. Soper is a Foundation Distinguished Professor with joint appointments in the departments of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering.

He is the principal investigator for the National Institutes of Health-funded Center of BioModular Multi-Scale Systems for Precision Medicine, which includes as partners the KU Medical Center, Louisiana State University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest School of Medicine.

The major focus of Soper’s research group is generating new tools for discovery and medical diagnostics through the analysis of biological macromolecules. This includes DNAs, RNAs and proteins. Soper and his team’s innovative tool developments include lab-on-a-chip technologies for testing medical conditions like cancer, stroke and infectious diseases.

In March, the NAI named Lisa Friis to the 2026 class of senior members. Friis is the M.J. Spahr Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The university nominated Friis in part for how she’s strengthened collaborations across the KU School of Medicine, the KU Cancer Center and numerous industry partners, elevating KU’s profile in medical device innovation.

Her main research interests are in mechanical testing of materials and structures and in medical implant design. Her current interests involve using piezoelectric materials in implants to stimulate biological healing of tissues.

Friis has received several federal Small Business Innovation Research awards and has commercialized licensed technologies. Her multiple U.S. patents cover technologies central to spinal biomechanics, medical implant design and piezoelectric regenerative devices.