Our 2022 Schmidt Science Fellow, Dr. Samuel Greene, has received the 2026 Community Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Fellowship community.

Nominated by fellow Senior Fellows, the award celebrates individuals whose leadership, generosity, and commitment strengthen the Fellowship and leave a lasting impact on their peers.

An interdisciplinary scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Greene has created opportunities for Fellows to connect, learn from one another, and help make science more accessible to people with disabilities. He founded and led a virtual discussion series where Fellows explored challenges facing science and identified practical ways to make STEM more accessible.

Building on those conversations, Dr. Greene brought together 15 Senior Fellows in 2024 to co-author an iScience paper on improving interview practices for scientists and engineers with disabilities. Grounded in the principles of Universal Design, the paper offers practical recommendations for creating a fairer and more accessible candidate experience.

Dr. Greene, who is a Rhodes Scholar, received multiple nominations from his peers, including one endorsed by 12 members of the Fellowship community.

One nominator wrote: “Sam has created an open space for others to share their ideas by thoughtfully facilitating conversations. He has taken the lead in organizing discussions about shared challenges, creating opportunities for us to learn from each other and build a stronger, more connected community.”

The award was presented at the 2026 Interdisciplinary Science Summit by the 2025 recipients, Dr. Ryan Truby and Dr. Ina Anreiter. When his name was announced, Dr. Greene received a standing ovation from the Fellowship.

Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Greene said: “I am honored to be part of a community where I can speak so openly about my experiences, and where my comments are met with compassion, curiosity, and a willingness to advocate for more accessibility in STEM.”

Christian Sosa, Fellowship Affairs Manager at Schmidt Science Fellows, said: “The Community Leadership Award recognizes the many ways Senior Fellows invest their expertise, time, and energy in strengthening our lifelong Fellowship. Samuel embodies that spirit through his generosity, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to creating a community where everyone can contribute and thrive.”