Growing up in Arizona, Friesen was always fascinated by the juxtaposition of landscapes existing in his native state—from the terrain he encountered on hikes as a teenager, to the cotton fields and citrus orchards sustained by a system of irrigation canals created by Native Americans, to the vast and arid deserts. With nature providing such a disparate playground outside his back door, it’s no wonder Friesen showed interest in science from a young age. After studying materials science and engineering at Arizona State University (ASU), he went on to earn a PhD in the same discipline at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He returned to ASU in 2004 where he now serves as an associate professor of materials science and engineering in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. At ASU, Friesen works to turn his innovative ideas into high-impact advancements for society. Click the link to discover Cody’s path to invention.

https://lemelson.mit.edu/award-winners/cody-friesen