NextFlex Honors Four New Fellows for Leadership, Innovation, and Service

NextFlex proudly announced the induction of four distinguished leaders into the NextFlex Fellows program during its annual recognition ceremony held at the 2026 Innovation Day event.

The NextFlex Fellows program recognizes individuals whose leadership, technical contributions, workforce development efforts, and commitment to ecosystem building have advanced the mission of NextFlex and strengthened the U.S. advanced electronics manufacturing community. Since its inception in 2017, the program has honored industry, government, and academic leaders whose work has helped shape the hybrid electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

Dr. Dan Gamota, Executive Director of NextFlex and a member of the inaugural Fellows class, reflected on the significance of the recognition and the lasting impact it has had on previous recipients.

“Being named a NextFlex Fellow is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Gamota. “Our Fellows represent a community of leaders who have advanced technology, developed talent, built partnerships, and helped strengthen the future of advanced manufacturing.”

2026 NextFlex Fellows

Alkim Akyurtlu, UMass Lowell

Alkim Akyurtlu, Professor and Associate Chair at UMass Lowell and Director of both the Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC) and the Raytheon UML Research Institute, was recognized for her exceptional leadership and longstanding contributions to the NextFlex community.

Akyurtlu has played an active role in NextFlex projects, technology roadmapping activities, and Innovation Day planning while helping establish one of the nation’s leading academic programs in hybrid electronics. Through her work at UMass Lowell, she has expanded workforce development opportunities through specialized curricula, certificate programs, and industry collaborations that support the growth of advanced manufacturing.

Ahmed Busnaina, Northeastern University

Ahmed Busnaina, Distinguished University Professor at Northeastern University and Director of the Advanced Nanomanufacturing Cluster for Smart Sensors and Materials, was recognized for his pioneering work in additive manufacturing and his contributions to strengthening the advanced electronics supply chain.

Busnaina developed high-throughput, fine-resolution additive manufacturing technologies for hybrid electronics and founded Nano OPS, a company dedicated to advancing rapid additive manufacturing of microelectronics. Over the past decade, he has also educated and mentored hundreds of students through major National Science Foundation programs while serving in numerous leadership roles across the NextFlex community, including the Governing Council and Technical Council.

Manos Tentzeris, Georgia Institute of Technology

Manos Tentzeris, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech, was recognized for more than a decade of leadership and collaboration across the NextFlex ecosystem.

An internationally recognized expert in radio frequency (RF) technologies, Tentzeris has contributed to multiple NextFlex-funded projects involving industry, government, and academic partners. His interdisciplinary research spanning RF engineering, nanotechnology, additive manufacturing, machine learning, materials science, and chemistry has produced transformative technology demonstrations that have advanced the field of hybrid electronics and inspired innovation throughout the industry.

David Wiens, Siemens

David Wiens, Product Marketing Manager at Siemens, was recognized for his longstanding leadership and commitment to advancing innovation and collaboration within the NextFlex ecosystem.

Wiens has been a strong advocate for the NextFlex mission through his active participation in institute programs, technical engagement, and strategic leadership. He has helped expand member access to Siemens design tools, strengthened collaborative industry messaging, and served in leadership roles on both the Innovation Day organizing committee and the NextFlex Governing Council. His efforts have helped elevate the visibility of advanced electronics manufacturing and foster stronger connections across the ecosystem.

(L-R) Dr. Dan Gamota (NextFlex) with 2026 Fellows Dr. Ahmed Busnaina (Northeastern University) and Dr. Alkim Akyurtlu (UMass Lowell), 2017 Fellow Homer Antoniadis (Vermio Consulting), and 2025 Fellow Paul Gaylo (Lockheed Martin). Not pictured: Manos Tentzeris (Georgia Tech) and David Wiens (Siemens)

Joining an Esteemed Community

The four new Fellows join an accomplished group of more than 40 previous recipients representing industry, government, academia, and nonprofit organizations. Collectively, NextFlex Fellows have contributed to technology advancement, workforce development, national advocacy, and ecosystem growth that continue to strengthen U.S. leadership in advanced electronics manufacturing.

Closing the ceremony, Gamota congratulated the incoming Fellows and emphasized the importance of their continued leadership.

“Our success depends on people who are willing to lead, collaborate, and invest in the future of our industry,” he said. “We are fortunate to have such remarkable individuals among us, and we look forward to working with our newest Fellows as we help write the next chapter of NextFlex’s success.”