Subra Suresh has been recognised for his scientific contributions in materials science and engineering, including his work connecting nano-mechanical cell structure to disease states, the university said in a statement.
Membership in the Chinese Academy of Sciences is the highest academic honour offered for science and technology in China. Only nine foreign members were inducted this year.
Suresh was also honoured for his leadership in building a worldwide scientific and engineering research dialogue through the Global Research Council, which he helped to found as director of the US National Science Foundation.
He will be recognised during the Chinese Academy's General Assembly scheduled for June in Beijing, it said.
Suresh is CMU's second faculty member to be recognised with the title. The late Herbert Simon was elected to it in 1994.