The R&D 100 Awards, one of the most prestigious innovation competitions in the world, has announced its 2026 judging panel, featuring experts from national laboratories, universities, and leading technology companies. This year's 64th iteration brings together professionals with decades of combined experience across artificial intelligence, medical devices, aerospace, and advanced computing to evaluate hundreds of entries competing for recognition as the year's most significant technological innovations.

Who Are the 2026 R&D 100 Judges?

The judging panel represents a cross-section of the global innovation ecosystem. Members include researchers from prestigious national laboratories like Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory, alongside executives from medical device manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, and technology startups. Each judge brings specialized expertise that allows them to evaluate innovations across multiple technology domains, from sensor design to machine learning and blockchain applications.

One notable judge is Tanmoy Bhattacharya, Chief Data Officer for the Deputy Directorate of Science, Technology, and Engineering at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Bhattacharya has published over 165 peer-reviewed papers and holds an h-index of 76, reflecting his deep contributions to physics, quantum information sciences, machine learning, and data sciences. His work has garnered more than 36,000 citations across Google Scholar, and he previously led the Los Alamos team that contributed to a 2023 R&D 100 award for CANDLE, a computational tool for scientific discovery.

Another key panelist is Sheik Ahamed Azigar Ali, Founder and CEO of Craton Technologies, a medical device startup building AI-enabled platforms for regulatory affairs. Over a 22-year career spanning healthcare, retail, and insurance, Ali has led enterprise-scale modernization initiatives and founded an AI Research Lab where he mentored more than 200 middle and high school students in patent development, a contribution recognized by the Texas State Capitol.

The panel also includes Victor Comello, a senior writer and editor at Argonne National Laboratory with 26 years of experience in technical journalism and research communication. Comello has served as a judge for the R&D 100 competition for more than 30 years, making him one of the longest-serving evaluators in the program's history.

What Expertise Does This Panel Bring to Innovation Evaluation?

The 2026 judging panel spans multiple critical technology domains and brings practical, real-world experience in translating research into deployable systems. Members include specialists in the following areas:

• Advanced Computing and Data Science: Judges with expertise in machine learning, quantum information sciences, high-performance computing, and uncertainty quantification to evaluate AI and computational breakthroughs.
• Medical Devices and Healthcare: Professionals with 25+ years of experience in medical device development, clinical research, and regulatory affairs, ensuring innovations meet real-world healthcare needs.
• Aerospace and Sensor Technology: Engineers specializing in optical sensors for harsh environments, aircraft systems, and advanced instrumentation for scientific research.
• Technical Journalism and Communication: Editors and writers who understand how to assess innovation impact and relevance to broader audiences and industries.

Paul Barton, an Electronics Engineer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, exemplifies this practical focus. Barton supports advanced scientific instrumentation for major research projects and specializes in translating early-stage scientific concepts into reliable, manufacturable systems. His background spans mixed-signal electronics, cryogenic detector design, and data acquisition systems for high-performance instruments.

Carlos Castillo, Senior Manager of R&D Medical Devices at Envista Holdings, brings 25 years of worldwide experience in medical devices, bio-systems, and clinical research. He holds three international engineering degrees, three MBAs, and eight U.S. patents, along with 29 peer-reviewed publications in major medical research journals. His career spans companies including Danaher, Siemens, and Cardinal Health, giving him deep insight into how innovations move from concept to market.

How the R&D 100 Awards Process Works

• Entry Review: Judges evaluate hundreds of submissions across multiple technology categories, assessing innovation, technical merit, and potential impact on industry and society.
• Finalist Announcement: Finalists in the 64th R&D 100 Awards will be announced at rdworldonline.com, with specific dates to be posted shortly on the site.
• Winner Recognition: Winners, along with medalists in Special Recognition categories and new Professional Award categories, will be announced the following week, also at rdworldonline.com.

The R&D 100 Awards have long served as a barometer for technological progress, recognizing innovations that advance science, engineering, and industry. By assembling a panel with deep expertise across AI, medical devices, aerospace, and advanced computing, the 2026 competition is positioned to identify breakthroughs that will shape the next decade of innovation.

Brian Buntz, Editor-in-Chief of R&D World, brings 15 years of journalism experience covering medical devices, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to the judging panel, ensuring that selected innovations are evaluated not only for technical merit but also for their broader significance to industry and society.