Washington Research Foundation Unveils the New 2026 WRF Postdoctoral Fellows Cohort
Washington Research Foundation Unveils the New 2026 WRF Postdoctoral Fellows Cohort
On December 17, 2025, the Washington Research Foundation (WRF) proudly announced the selection of its latest cohort of WRF Postdoctoral Fellows for 2026. This year, twelve early-career researchers will be awarded three-year fellowships to support their innovative projects at notable institutions such as the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), University of Washington (UW), and Washington State University (WSU).
The WRF Postdoctoral Fellowship program aims to nurture the talents of young scientists by providing them with the necessary resources and support to tackle significant scientific challenges. Since its inception in 2018, WRF has committed to advancing the careers of exceptional researchers by awarding 102 fellowships across 90 labs within nine Washington state institutions. The selection process values innovation and high-impact research that can evolve into new products, services, or practices.
Fellowship recipients will not only receive financial aid covering salary, benefits, and project expenses but will also participate in professional development and networking opportunities. Such endeavors are crucial in developing a strong community of scientific leaders throughout Washington state. Many alumni of the program have made vast strides in both academia and industry, with several joining renowned startups.
Meet the 2026 WRF Postdoctoral Fellows
This year’s cohort boasts a diverse range of research areas:
- - Stefany Cruz, Ph.D., will explore agentic AI technologies in urban settings to enhance safety and sustainability.
- - Winston Dredge, Ph.D., will study the genetic variations impacting early human development using multimodal data.
- - Nastacia Goodwin, Ph.D., is on a mission to understand how climate change affects bumblebee behavior and resilience.
- - Kunal Lodaya, Ph.D., will investigate the limitations in redox flow batteries to enhance energy storage technologies.
- - Allyson Martin, Ph.D., is focused on pollinator health and productivity in orchards, leveraging molecular techniques.
- - Jongbeom Park, Ph.D., aims to unravel the effects of environmental factors on mammalian newborns using genomic data.
- - Zoe Rand, Ph.D., will create models to estimate phytoplankton abundance, aiding in harmful algae bloom detection.
- - Nathaniel Ritz, Ph.D., plans to establish a screening platform to decode the communication between gut microbes and human cells.
- - Jonas Wilhelm, Ph.D., is dedicated to designing new biocatalysts using advanced protein design methodologies.
- - Marcus Wong, Ph.D., will explore immune memory expansion strategies concerning malaria.
- - Chuanyun Xu, Ph.D., will employ cutting-edge technologies to develop transmembrane proteins for key therapeutic research.
- - Lu Yu, Ph.D., will investigate antibody-drug conjugates with a focus on advancing cancer therapies.
Each project reflects a commitment to research that not only deepens scientific understanding but also has potential implications for real-world applications. Nathaniel Ritz, for example, expressed enthusiasm about his focus on gut microbe communication, stating: "The WRF fellowship allows us to develop new technologies that could reveal these conversations at an unprecedented scale".
Clarisse Benson, the manager of student and postdoctoral programs at WRF, stated, "We’re excited to support this extraordinary group as they push boundaries in their various fields. Our efforts are geared towards ensuring that early-career researchers in Washington obtain the necessary support and resources to flourish and take the lead in their respective domains."
With the increased global focus on climate change, health, and sustainable technological advancements, the contributions of these new fellows become ever more critical. The program looks set to continue its impact with the upcoming application window for the 2027 cohort opening in May 2026.
About WRF
Established in 1981, the Washington Research Foundation actively supports research and entrepreneurship within the state's life sciences and enabling technologies sectors. Having evolved into one of the leading technology transfer organizations in the nation, WRF has facilitated significant revenue generation and grants in support of Washington's research institutions.
For more information on the Washington Research Foundation or the Postdoctoral Fellowship program, please visit wrfseattle.org.
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