The 2026 Schmidt Science Fellows, announced today, will tackle issues from marine conservation and microplastics to regenerative medicine and sustainable agriculture.

Thirty-two emerging research leaders have been selected as Schmidt Science Fellows, enabling them to pursue an ambitious “interdisciplinary pivot” by embarking on postdoctoral research in a new field of study from their PhD.

Meet the 2026 Schmidt Science Fellows

This interdisciplinary pivot will allow them to enhance their skills and methods while applying their existing knowledge in novel ways, an approach to research that breaks down traditional disciplinary boundaries and accelerates discovery.

Wendy Schmidt, who co-founded Schmidt Science Fellows with her husband Eric, said: “Science without interdisciplinary research is like using only one of your five senses to try and understand the world.

“We welcome the fresh, interdisciplinary perspective that each new cohort of Schmidt Science Fellows brings to the mysteries of our time — how life began on Earth, how we can overcome disease, how our climate is changing, and how we can create a healthy, resilient, and secure world for all.”

The Fellowship offers unique interdisciplinary support to exceptional early-career researchers, allowing them to advance their research and develop as next-generation leaders who can create an outsized impact across fields.

The 2026 cohort will tackle research that includes climate and conservation, quantum materials, novel therapeutics, and advanced diagnostics.

For example:

• Hannah Richards (Nominating Institution: Vanderbilt University) will pivot from Analytical Chemistry to Marine Biology to reduce the extinction risk of endangered sea turtles. She will develop safe fungal-fighting treatments from natural sources to tackle an infection that attacks leatherback turtle eggs, significantly reducing hatchling survival.
• Qing Xia (Nominating Institution: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) will pivot from Electrocatalysis to Physical Engineering to explore new ways to produce nitrogen-based fertilizers without the high energy use associated with traditional methods. Qing’s approach will swap high temperatures and pressures for vibration, light, and sound to produce nitrogen-based products.
• Elena Turkalj (Nominating Institution: University of California, San Francisco) will pivot from Developmental Biology to Electrochemistry to develop a new sensor to monitor hormones in real-time. This could pave the way for continuous monitoring via wearable technology, advancing our understanding of hormonal conditions and improving diagnosis.
• Anna Uzonyi (Nominating Institution: Weizmann Institute of Science) will pivot from Genetics to Physiology to explore the remarkable self-healing properties of marine mammal skin. This work could pave the way for advances in regenerative medicine.
• Emily Cooper (Nominating Institution: University of Queensland) will pivot from Inorganic Chemistry to Chemical Engineering to improve lithium-ion battery recycling. The hazardous liquid electrolyte is not adequately recycled, posing serious health and environmental risks. Emily plans to develop a practical recycling procedure, improving electrolyte extraction and salt purification with the ultimate goal of creating a circular battery economy.

“Our mission is to change how science is done. By supporting exceptional researchers to cross disciplines and by working with institutions to create environments where interdisciplinary teams can thrive, we are helping to accelerate discovery” – Dr. Megan Kenna

Established in 2018, Schmidt Science Fellows is an initiative of Schmidt Sciences delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust.

​James Ricci, Director of Science Systems at Schmidt Sciences said: ”Our goal is to make it easier for scientists to pursue the big questions that will accelerate progress and discovery.

“Schmidt Science Fellows gives outstanding early-career researchers the support and community to make that leap and helps build a research culture where ambitious, boundary-crossing work can thrive.”

The 2026 Schmidt Science Fellows were nominated by 25 globally leading institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. They represent 11 nationalities and include the first two Fellows from Hungary.

The cohort includes the first Fellows from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA); The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; The Scripps Research Institute; the University of Minnesota; the University of Montreal; and Vanderbilt University.

The total global Schmidt Science Fellows community, comprised of nine cohorts since 2018, has seen 241 Fellows selected from more than 70 institutions worldwide, representing 40 nationalities.

Dr. Megan Kenna, Schmidt Science Fellows Founding Executive Director, said: “It is a privilege to welcome our 2026 Fellows, 32 inspiring researchers united by their commitment to bold, boundary-crossing science.

“As with each new cohort, they bring fresh perspectives, distinctive experiences, and a remarkable breadth of research ambition to strengthen our growing community.”

Schmidt Science Fellows is a catalyst in building the global infrastructure to support interdisciplinary research at scale.

Additional initiatives include the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings and the Global Higher Education Interdisciplinary Network, delivered in partnership with Schmidt Sciences, the Rhodes Trust, and Times Higher Education.

“Our mission is to change how science is done,” Dr. Kenna said. “By supporting exceptional researchers to cross disciplines and by working with institutions to create environments where interdisciplinary teams can thrive, we are helping to accelerate discovery.

“When we remove barriers between fields, we unlock the potential for science to move faster, reach further, and address the world’s most complex challenges with the very best ideas.”

Alongside their Research Placement, the Fellows undertake a bespoke 12-month Science Leadership Program. Fellows participate in three week-long convenings held in locations steeped in research and innovation excellence.

These workshops provide access to some of the world’s most insightful thinkers and allow Fellows to build networks of support.