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Beckman Foundation Announces 2026 Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has officially announced its 2026 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows. This year's expanded cohort includes 18 distinguished individuals awarded funding exceeding $6.7 million dedicated to innovative research in the chemical sciences and instrumental analysis. The process for selecting these fellows involved a rigorous three-part review conducted by a panel of esteemed scientific experts.

Overview of the Fellows

These postdoctoral fellows were chosen from 14 renowned universities and research institutions. Their work embodies the foundation's mission to propel forward basic research and promote advancements in chemical sciences. Notably, several awardees will be mentored by previous Beckman Foundation awardees, thus continuing the lineage of innovation and excellence fostered by the foundation.

Chemical Instrumentation Fellows:

1. MaKenna Koble - University of Wisconsin, Madison
2. Ryan McDonnell - Yale University
3. Jaclyn Rebstock - University of Washington

Chemical Sciences Fellows:

1. Megan Bentley, PhD - University of Colorado, Boulder
2. Emily Boyd - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mentor: Dr. Yogesh Surendranath (also a previous mentor)
3. Thomas Clarke, PhD - Northwestern University
- Mentor: Dr. Chad Mirkin (1992 BYI)
4. Richard Kang - Princeton University
5. Farid Khoury, PhD - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mentor: Dr. Ariel Furst (2016 AOB Postdoc)
6. William Lyon - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mentor: Dr. Stephen Buchwald (three-time previous AOB Postdoc Mentor)
7. Samantha McDonald, PhD - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Mentor: Dr. Frank Leibfarth (2019 BYI)
8. Ryan Murphy, PhD - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mentor: Dr. Danna Freedman (twice previous AOB Postdoc Mentor)
9. Levi Palmer - Stanford University
10. Kevin Qian, PhD - Johns Hopkins University
- Mentor: Dr. Rebekka Klausen (previous reviewer and AOB Postdoc Executive Committee Member)
11. Ethan Quinn, PhD - California Institute of Technology
- Mentor: Dr. Frances Arnold (Nobel Laureate and previous AOB Postdoc Mentor)
12. Allison Smith, PhD - University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
13. Christian Strong - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Mentor: Dr. Alexander Radosevich (previous AOB Postdoc Mentor)
14. Johnny Wang - University of California, Berkeley
- Mentor: Dr. Colin Gould (2021 AOB Postdoc)
15. Todd Whittaker, PhD - Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- (First-time AOB Postdoc Award at this institution)

Vision for the Future

In making this announcement, Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, expressed great enthusiasm for the 2026 cohort. She highlighted how the research of these fellows aims to tackle complex scientific challenges—ranging from the development of environmentally friendly thermal energy solutions to studying interstellar peptide bond formation. Furthermore, their innovative work includes the creation of new instruments that provide insights into the properties of intricate polymer samples.

“This group exemplifies our foundation’s commitment to fostering the next wave of independent research leaders,” Dr. Hultgren stated. “Congratulations to all members of the 2026 class of Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellows. We look forward to their transformative discoveries and future achievements in their respective careers.”

About the Beckman Foundation

Founded in 1977 by Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, a pioneer in scientific instrumentation, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is based in Irvine, California. The foundation is dedicated to supporting both researchers and nonprofit institutions aiming for breakthroughs in chemistry and life sciences. By funding high-risk, interdisciplinary research, the foundation seeks to enable innovations that lead to significant advancements in scientific inquiry. For more information on their programs and mission, visit their official website.