The tradition of selecting fellows began in 1874. Members can be considered for the rank of fellow if nominated by the steering group of their respective sections, by three fellows or by the association's chief executive officer. Each steering group then reviews nominations within its respective section and forwards a final list to the association's council. The nomination involves all discipline of science and engineering, which makes it broader than any technical society.

Ladisch was nominated for his contributions to the science of bioprocessing of renewable resources in biofuels and of bioseparations for rapid detection of food pathogens.