The foundations of modern digital communication received a significant acknowledgement this week with the election of University of New Mexico professor emeritus Nasir Ahmed to the National Academy of Engineering. Ahmed, 85, is being recognized for his invention of the discrete cosine transform (DCT), a data compression technique that underpins much of the digital world we rely on today – from streaming video and high-definition television to medical imaging and, crucially, the video calls that connected so many during the recent pandemic. The election to the NAE, announced February 29, 2026, solidifies Ahmed’s legacy as a quiet giant in the field of electrical engineering and computer science.
The DCT, first proposed by Ahmed in 1972 even as at Kansas State University, allows for efficient reduction in the amount of data needed to represent images and sounds. This compression is essential for transmitting and storing digital information, making technologies like Zoom, HDTV, and even echocardiograms feasible. Without the DCT, the bandwidth and storage requirements for these applications would be prohibitively expensive and impractical. Understanding the impact of Ahmed’s work is understanding the infrastructure of the 21st century.
A Lifelong Dedication to Engineering and Education
Ahmed’s journey to this recognition began in Bangalore, India, where he was born in 1940. He pursued his higher education at the University of New Mexico, earning both his master’s and doctorate degrees in the 1960s. His research advisor during his doctoral studies was Professor Shlomo Karni, focusing on the derivation of transfer functions from time delay specifications. He spent the first 15 years of his academic career at Kansas State University before returning to UNM in 1983 as the Presidential Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Colleagues describe Ahmed as a dedicated educator and administrator, in addition to his groundbreaking research. University of Colorado professor Alan Bovik, who nominated Ahmed for the NAE honor, noted that while he never met Ahmed personally, he was deeply aware of the impact of his work. “I did not grasp him personally nor meet him in person,” Bovik said. “Although, I certainly knew him well through the outcomes of his amazing work that I have used nearly every day, researched various aspects of, and taught in my classes. He was a quiet and unassuming giant who was also dedicated to education, and became a department head, and Dean, and more, so I did not notice him at conferences.”
From Classroom to National Recognition
At UNM, Ahmed rose through the ranks, becoming chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department in 1989 and later serving as the dean of the school of engineering from 1994 to 1996. He continued his service as the associate provost for research and dean of Graduate Studies until his retirement in 2001. His commitment to the university extended beyond his professional roles; he and his wife, Esther Pariente-Ahmed, both earned their PhDs from UNM, and their son, Michael Pariente, received his bachelor’s degree there in the 1990s. Ahmed’s family connection to UNM underscores his deep roots in the Albuquerque community.
The National Academy of Engineering, established in 1863 under the same congressional act that founded the National Academy of Sciences, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of engineering. The NAE provides independent analysis and advice to the nation on matters of engineering policy and practice. Election to the NAE is among the highest honors an engineer can receive.
Beyond the NAE: A Sweep of Prestigious Awards
Ahmed’s contributions have not gone unnoticed by other leading engineering organizations. In addition to his election to the NAE, he has been honored with the 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fourier Award for Signal Processing, the Prince Philip Medal by the United Kingdom’s Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s JJ Thomson Medal. These accolades represent a comprehensive recognition of his impact on the field.
His work even found its way into popular culture. Ahmed and his wife were featured on the NBC drama This Is Us in 2021, highlighting the role his invention played in enabling connection during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Albuquerque was wonderful, and I was lucky to get educated at UNM,” Ahmed told UNM in 2021. “All three of us received our degrees here: Our son Michael; Esther received Ph.D. In 1994 [she earned a master’s degree at KSU], and I received my Ph.D. In 1966. As such, we are all grateful to UNM.”
With Ahmed’s induction, the University of New Mexico now boasts eight representatives in the National Academy of Engineering, a testament to the institution’s commitment to innovation and research. The impact of Nasir Ahmed’s work extends far beyond academia, shaping the way we communicate, consume information, and interact with the world around us.
The NAE will formally recognize Ahmed and the other members of the 2026 class at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. This fall. Further details about the event and Ahmed’s contributions to the field will be available on the National Academy of Engineering website.
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