IEEE Elects Lifeng Lai as Fellow

IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization, has elected Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Lifeng Lai to the level of Fellow.

Fewer than 0.1% of IEEE members receive the honor each year, making it the organization’s most esteemed membership grade. It is reserved for elite innovators who have made extraordinary advancements in engineering, science and technology.

IEEE has recognized Lai for his contributions to secure and spectrally efficient wireless communications systems.

“Since joining our department, Professor Lai has demonstrated exceptional leadership in research, teaching and service,” said Saif Islam, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “His dedication to advancing information theory, wireless systems and machine learning continues to elevate the visibility and reputation of our department and university.”

Lai’s research spans multiple disciplines, including statistical signal processing, machine learning, information theory and wireless communications. His research has received multiple awards, including the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award.

Lai received his Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering degrees in information science and electrical engineering from Zhejiang University in 2001 and 2004, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from The Ohio State University in 2007. He trained as a postdoctoral scholar at Princeton University from 2007 to 2009. In 2016, he joined the University of California, Davis, as an associate professor.