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CAS Future Leaders 2026

CAS has officially announced its cohort for the CAS Future Leaders 2026 program, aimed at nurturing the capabilities of early-career scientists. This initiative, part of the American Chemical Society (ACS), highlights the importance of leadership in the scientific community.

The selected cohort is composed of prominent scientists working in diverse fields, including computer chemistry, synthetic biology, and materials science. Among the 30 participants, notable names include Jeanette A. Adjei from the University of California, Merced, and Lucas Attia from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These individuals were chosen from a competitive pool of candidates from around the globe, all vying for the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and contribute significantly to their fields.

Scheduled for August, the CAS Future Leaders program includes various workshops aimed at developing leadership, career advancement, and communication skills. Participants will experience mentorship from seasoned business leaders, engage in scientific debates, and forge connections with fellow researchers. According to Peter Carlton, the program director, the overwhelming interest reflects the value scientists place on skills that can amplify their impact in the scientific realm.

The chosen Future Leaders will gain insights into CAS operations, which play a crucial role in transforming scientific knowledge into actionable insights for innovative organizations. They will also have the chance to present their research at the ACS Fall 2026 Conference in Chicago and receive a three-year membership to ACS.

“Joining the CAS Future Leaders class of 2026 is an incredible honor,” stated participant Nitesh Sanghai from the University of Manitoba. “This program is a unique opportunity to build powerful connections and grow as a human-centered leader, enhancing research curiosity that propels science forward and positively impacts humanity.”

In addition to the core in-person program, CAS extends its support through the CAS Future Leaders Top 100 initiative, providing virtual programming and career guidance to other distinguished scientists. This is in line with the organization's mission of fostering competent and confident scientific leaders, essential for driving scientific breakthroughs that improve people’s lives.

To learn more about CAS Future Leaders 2026, visit www.cas.org/about/futureleaders.

About CAS

CAS is committed to linking global scientific knowledge to speed advancements that enhance lives. By empowering innovators to navigate the complex data ecosystem of today, CAS enables confident decision-making at every stage of the innovation journey. As specialists in scientific knowledge management, CAS boasts the world’s largest curated collection of scientific reference data while delivering essential information and solutions. Scientists, patent professionals, and industry leaders depend on CAS to uncover opportunities, mitigate risks, and leverage shared knowledge to accelerate the transition from inspiration to innovation. CAS is a division of the American Chemical Society. For more information, visit cas.org.