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.

Hexagon shaped overlay

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

View profile
Ashton Aleman

Stanford University

View profile
Jusung An

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

View profile
Juliana Rodriguez Antonio

Southern Methodist University

View profile
Lucas Attia

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

View profile
Alicia Battaglia

University of Toronto

View profile
Isabela Alves de Albuquerque Bessa

Universidade Federal Fluminense

View profile
Shinhyeong Choe

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

View profile
Marcel Roy Domalanta

North Dakota State University

View profile
Blaine Fiss

Dalhousie University

View profile
Adrián de la Fuente Ballesteros

Leuphana University

View profile
Anthony Griffin

University of Southern Mississippi

View profile
Ainoa Guinart Planellas

ETH Zürich

View profile
Tarisha Gupta

Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

View profile
Anjali Gurajapu

California Institute of Technology

View profile
Hannah Holmes

Stanford University

View profile
Scarlet Hopkins

Griffith University

View profile
Maggie Horst

University of California, San Francisco

View profile
Nishu Kanwa

Radboud University Nijmegen

View profile
Daniel Krajovic

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

View profile
Kaitlin Landy

University of Chicago

View profile
Valeria Belén López Cervantes

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

View profile
Kenneth Lopez Perez

University of Florida

View profile
Guanyu Lu

Northwestern University

View profile
Andrés Merino-Restrepo

University of Alberta

View profile
Racchana Ramamurthy

McGill University

View profile
Alicia Robang

Weill Cornell Medicine

View profile
Humphrey Sam Samuel

Emory University

View profile
Nitesh Sanghai

University of Manitoba

View profile
Yohei Tanifuji

Keio University

View profile
Vishal Yadav

Pennsylvania State University

View profile

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

Apply now

Expense-paid trip to CAS Headquarters in Columbus, Ohio
August 17-22, 2026
Expense-paid trip to ACS Fall 2026 in Chicago, Illinois
August 23-27, 2026
Team members
24

Apply now

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

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.

    Read testimonialsHear from our CAS Future Leaders
    View blog post
  • Past CAS Future Leaders

    Meet our exceptional alumni who shaped their personal and professional journeys through our program.

    View galleryPast CAS Future Leaders
    View blog post
  • Insights from CAS Future Leaders

    Explore the unique insights and perspectives of our program alumni in this collection of publications, videos, and journal articles.

    Explore publicationsInsights from CAS Future Leaders
    View blog post
  • 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!

    Email

    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.

    Follow us on X

    Join our global network of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars in chemistry and related sciences.

    400 Alumni
    38 countries/regions