WASHINGTON — Early-career researchers selected for the 2026 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship program recently began their 12-week assignments at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Fellows will learn firsthand about science and technology policy as they work closely with the scientists, engineers, and medical professionals who volunteer their time to help the National Academies address some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation and the world.

During this full-time experiential training program, fellows join a National Academies team and are assigned a mentor as they contribute meaningfully to the work of the organization. The goal of the program is to deepen fellows’ understanding of science and technology policy, help them discover new career paths, and obtain essential skills and knowledge needed to work in science policy at the federal, state, or local levels.

“For almost three decades, Mirzayan fellows have not only made valuable contributions to the work of the National Academies, but many have also become policy leaders in the larger STEM community,” said National Academy of Sciences President Neil H. Shubin. “I’m excited to welcome this year’s outstanding cohort and to see all that they can accomplish.”

The 2026 fellows are:

• Himanshu Ahuja, Exponent Inc.

• Charlotte Benedict, The Ohio State University

• Charles (Duke) Bickham, University of Southern California

• Willa Brenneis, Northwestern University

• Robert (Rob) Claassen, The Ohio State University

• Olufemi Fatunsin, Alabama A&M University

• Veronica Valencia Gonzalez, University of South Carolina

• Rebecca Grekin, Stanford University

• Januka Gyawali, Tufts University

• India Jackson, Georgia State University

• Yufan Ji, The Ohio State University

• Kasra Khodkar, Oklahoma State University

• Harshita (Hershey) Kondeti, Loyola University Chicago

• Kelly Matuszewski, Northwestern University

• Mahhad Nayyer, Purdue University

• Robin Oliverio, Static Media

• Annie Y. Patrick, Bucknell University

• Christine Smothers, Case Western Reserve University

• Angélica Valdés-Valderrama, Tufts University

• Vishnu Vijayasankar, National Laboratory of the Rockies

• Liya T. Weldegebriel, Stanford University

The Mirzayan Fellowship program was launched in 1997 and will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.

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