CAS Future Leaders™
Introducing the 2026 CAS Future Leaders! This group of exceptional Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars from around the world will take the next steps in their leadership journeys this August in Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois.
2026 CAS Future Leaders
This year's participants were selected from among hundreds of highly qualified applicants, representing a wide array of scientific disciplines and organizations from around the world. Congratulations to our 2026 class:
- Jeanette A. Adjei, University of California, Merced
- Ashton Aleman, Stanford University
- Jusung An, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Juliana Rodriguez Antonio, Southern Methodist University
- Lucas Attia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Alicia Battaglia, University of Toronto
- Isabela Alves de Albuquerque Bessa, Universidade Federal Fluminense
- Shinhyeong Choe, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Marcel Roy Domalanta, North Dakota State University
- Blaine Fiss, Dalhousie University
- Adrián de la Fuente Ballesteros, Leuphana University
- Anthony Griffin, University of Southern Mississippi
- Ainoa Guinart Planellas, ETH Zürich
- Tarisha Gupta, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar
- Anjali Gurajapu, California Institute of Technology
- Hannah Holmes, Stanford University
- Scarlet Hopkins, Griffith University
- Maggie Horst, University of California, San Francisco
- Nishu Kanwa, Radboud University
- Daniel Krajovic, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Kaitlin Landy, University of Chicago
- Valeria Belén López Cervantes, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Kenneth Lopez Perez, University of Florida
- Guanyu Lu, Northwestern University
- Andrés Merino-Restrepo, University of Alberta
- Racchana Ramamurthy, McGill University
- Alicia Robang, Weill Cornell Medicine
- Humphrey Sam Samuel, Emory University
- Nitesh Sanghai, University of Manitoba
- Yohei Tanifuji, Keio University
- Vishal Yadav, Pennsylvania State University
What is CAS Future Leaders?
The CAS Future Leaders program supports the growth of science leadership among early-career scientists. Since 2010, the program has awarded Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars opportunities to learn leadership skills, engage in scientific discourse, and connect with peers and innovators from around the world.
Learn
Get exclusive leadership training from industry experts and learn how CAS connects the world’s scientific knowledge.
Engage
Share your latest discoveries to advance scientific knowledge at the American Chemical Society fall meeting.
Connect
Network to make meaningful connections with peers and innovators from around the world.
2026 Program benefits
- $1,000 USD
- 3-year ACS membership
- Profile featured in C&EN (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 articles)
- Complimentary registration for the ACS meeting
- Opportunity to present your research at the ACS meeting
- Complimentary registration for an ACS Professional and Leadership Development course at the ACS meeting
- Lifetime membership in the CAS Future Leaders Community
CAS Future Leaders Top 100
The CAS Future Leaders Top 100 program recognizes additional outstanding applicants. This new initiative honors their accomplishments and provides exclusive benefits to support their science leadership growth.
- Exclusive virtual leadership training and networking opportunities
- Lifetime membership in the CAS Future Leaders Community
- 1-year ACS membership
Testimonials
Frequently asked questions
Am I eligible to apply?
How do you define “postdoctoral scholar”?
What are the program dates?
What are the primary application requirements?
What should my essay include?
What should the letter of recommendation include?
Who should I select for my letter of recommendation?
How will I be contacted if I am selected?
How are CAS Future Leaders selected?
What travel-related expenses are covered by CAS?
Who should I contact with questions about the program?
Hear from our CAS Future Leaders
Read inspiring stories from previous participants about how the program opened new doors, enhanced their careers, and gave them an unforgettable experience.
Past CAS Future Leaders
Meet our exceptional alumni who shaped their personal and professional journeys through our program.
Insights from CAS Future Leaders
Explore the unique insights and perspectives of our program alumni in this collection of publications, videos, and journal articles.
Contact us
Questions about the CAS Future Leaders program? See our FAQ and Terms & Conditions or email the CAS Future Leaders team. Not a Ph.D. student or postdoctoral scholar? Download our printable flyer to share with someone you know!
Connect with us on X (Twitter)
Stay connected with our CAS Future Leaders community on X (formerly Twitter), where we share updates, insights, and opportunities to engage with our program and alumni.
Join our global network of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars in chemistry and related sciences.
