HERTZ FELLOWSHIP
Meet the 2026 Hertz Fellows
The Hertz Foundation has named its 2026 class of Hertz Fellows — 19 exceptional innovators selected through one of the most rigorous processes in American science. This is an extraordinary group working on some of the most consequential problems of our time: developing therapies that could transform how we treat disease, advancing the science behind clean energy and climate resilience, strengthening the technologies that underpin national security, and pushing the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can do.
Hannah Barsouk
PhD Student, Stanford University
Andrew Chu
Senior, Harvard University; Incoming PhD Student, Stanford University
Elizabeth Chung
MD-PhD student, University of California, San Francisco
Charles Colvin
Senior, The Pennsylvania State University; Incoming PhD Student, Duke University
Adam Distler
PhD Student, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Sam Foxman
Senior, California Institute of Technology; Incoming PhD Student, Stanford University
Tyler Hou
Senior, University of California, Berkeley; Incoming PhD Student, Princeton University
Elizabeth Kozlov
PhD Student, Princeton University
Daniel Lesman
MD-PhD Student, Harvard University
Miller MacDonald
Senior, Harvard College; Incoming PhD Student, Harvard University
Annika Marschner
PhD Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Alvin Q. Meng
PhD Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jackson Powell
MD-PhD Student, Stanford University
Nikhil Seshadri
Post-Bachelor’s Student, Los Alamos National Laboratory; Incoming PhD Student, California Institute of Technology
Zachary S. Siegel
PhD Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Matthew Wanta
Senior, United States Military Academy; Incoming PhD Student, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Matthew Werneken
PhD Student, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Zain Zaidi
PhD Student, Princeton University
Eric Zhu
Senior, University of California, Santa Barbara; Incoming PhD Student, Harvard University
MESSAGE FROM HERTZ FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP
STEPHEN D. FANTONE
Chair, Board of Directors
WENDY CONNORS
President, Hertz Foundation
“Year after year, the Hertz Fellowship identifies individuals whose ambitions go far beyond personal achievement. This class is no exception,” said Stephen Fantone, chair of the Hertz Foundation board of directors and president and CEO of Optikos Corporation. “Our newest Hertz Fellows are committed to solving problems that matter for our national security, our health and our future.”
READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENTThe Hertz Fellowship
The Hertz Fellowship provides financial and lifelong professional support for the nation’s most promising doctoral students in the applied sciences, engineering and mathematics. Awarded through a rigorous selection process honed over seven decades, Hertz Fellows receive up to five years of funding and join an influential community dedicated to solving our most pressing challenges.
BRINGING GREAT MINDS TOGETHER
The Hertz Fellowship lasts five years, but the relationships last a lifetime. Hertz Fellows find common ground in curiosity, creativity, and mutual respect — leading to collaborations that cross disciplines and change the world.
Learn about OUR COMMUNITY freedom to innovate®
Hertz Fellows ain more than funding. They gain the Freedom to Innovate® and the backing of a community dedicated to their success. This flexibility enables fellows to secure their top choice in advisor and research group, explore ideas outside the constraints of an advisor’s grants, develop collaborative projects and reduce distractions.
Learn about the benefits
POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS
Partner organizations enhance the fellowship experience through internships, professional development and networking, helping to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world solutions.
Learn about PARTNERSHIPSSpotlight on the Community
Meet our Hertz Fellows whose accomplishments in service, scholarship, innovation, and leadership reflect the strength and impact of our community. These stories, along with a recap of the 2025 Summer Workshop, highlight the dedication, excellence, and commitment that define the Hertz Fellows experience.
RUBY
LAI
Raymond Sidney Volunteer Leadership Award
REUBEN
SAUNDERS
Hertz Thesis Prize
VIVEK
NAIR
Harold Newman and David Galas Entrepreneurial Initiative
JESSICA
SEELIGER
Robbee Baker Kosak Leadership Prize
2025 Hertz Summer Workshop
Recap Article and Video
HOW TO Get involved
You can play a vital role in fostering our vibrant community of fellows and advancing our mission. Your involvement helps us provide unparalleled support to our fellows, from their academic journeys to their professional careers.
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