Carolyn Kuranz, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences in the College of Engineering, was selected as a 2026 Frontiers of Science Fellow by the National Academy of Sciences. Kuranz is one of 81 early-career scientists chosen from academia, industry, and government across the U.S. to participate in the 2026 Frontiers of Science symposia. The invitation-only program brings together outstanding researchers who have already made recognized contributions to their fields. “I’m so excited to be a part of this symposium,” Kuranz said. “It has been a great opportunity to discuss interdisciplinary research with scientists from different fields.” Kuranz is an experimental plasma physicist whose research focuses on high-energy-density physics and laboratory astrophysics. Her work uses powerful laser facilities to recreate extreme environments similar to those found in stars, supernovae, and planetary interiors, allowing scientists to study astrophysical phenomena in controlled laboratory settings. By combining advanced diagnostics, plasma experiments, and large-scale simulations, Kuranz’s research helps improve scientific understanding of how matter behaves under extreme temperatures and pressures while contributing to fields such as fusion energy, astrophysics, and fundamental plasma science.
The Association for Computing Machinery has named Eytan Adar a 2025 ACM Fellow for his foundational research in data mining, data visualization and social computing. “I am honored and grateful to receive this recognition,” said Adar, professor of information in the School of Information, and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering. “Getting to this point in my career while still loving the work wouldn’t be possible without so many great mentors, collaborators, colleagues and students. I’m really fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful and talented people that have shaped my work.” The ACM Fellows program recognizes the top 1% of ACM Members for their outstanding accomplishments in computing and information technology. Fellows are nominated by their peers, with nominations reviewed by a distinguished selection committee. Adar’s nomination letter, written by UMSI professor Paul Resnick, acknowledges that Adar stands at the forefront of research that impacts how people produce, navigate and interact with information in our digital era. His work has advanced the boundaries of computer and information sciences, improving how we interact with, learn from and shape the information landscape.
Alec Thomas, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, and of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering, and professor of physics in LSA, has received the University of Michigan Engineering Monroe-Brown Foundation Research Excellence Award in recognition of his internationally influential research in high-intensity laser plasma physics. Thomas is a global leader in experimental, theoretical, and computational studies of laser-plasma interactions. His work has helped shape modern understanding of laser wakefield accelerators and strong-field quantum electrodynamics, with implications for particle acceleration, ultrafast radiation sources, and fundamental physics. Thomas also plays a central role in the national research infrastructure. He serves as co-principal investigator of ZEUS, the NSF-funded multi-petawatt laser facility at U-M.
Gary Was, Walter J. Weber Professor Emeritus of Sustainable Energy, Environmental and Earth Systems Engineering, professor emeritus of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, and professor emeritus of materials science and engineering, has received the University of Michigan’s Edward Law Emeritus Outstanding Service Award. The award recognizes emeritus faculty whose continued service meaningfully advances the mission of the College of Engineering. “In every respect, Professor Gary Was embodies the spirit of the Edward Law Emeritus Outstanding Service Award,” said Todd Allen, Glenn F. and Gladys H. Knoll Department Chair of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. Since retiring in 2021 after a 41-year faculty career at U-M, Was has expanded rather than slowed his contributions to the department, college, and global nuclear materials community. His post-retirement service spans research leadership, mentorship, editorial stewardship, and the continued operation of major national research infrastructure.
Na-Hyun Jo, the Norman L. Leff University of Michigan Assistant Professor of Physics, has been named a 2026 Cottrell Scholar by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. This prestigious award recognizes early-career scholars who excel in both research and teaching. Jo is among 24 outstanding teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics and astronomy from 23 different institutions to be awarded this title. Jo was recognized for her research on advancing uniaxial stress devices specifically designed for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy in quantum materials. Until now, experimental investigations into electronic-structure changes under systematically tunable uniaxial stress have primarily focused on 3D bulk materials. These bulk systems, composed of vast numbers of atoms, present significant complexity — making it difficult to reveal their intrinsic quantum properties. Additionally, the need for substantial stress to manipulate physical characteristics often leads to material fracture at relatively low strain levels, further complicating research efforts.
Katherine Michelmore, associate professor of public policy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, is one of 90 experts inducted into the National Academy of Social Insurance this year. Michelmore is recognized for her outstanding contributions to social insurance and related policy areas. Michelmore’s research falls into three main streams: analyzing the effects of tax credits on low-income families, evaluating the impact of education policies on access to educational opportunities, and describing socioeconomic differences in family complexity and their policy implications. Social insurance refers to programs designed to help workers and families manage risks — such as illness, disability, or unemployment — by providing financial protection and preventing loss of income. NASI is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to understanding how these systems contribute to economic security. Michelmore joins other Ford School faculty, including Natasha Pilkauskas, Paula Lantz, James B. Hudak Professor of Health Policy, and Betsey Stevenson, professor of public policy and economics.
Five U-M faculty members were recognized in February by the Biophysical Society at its 70th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Founded in 1958, society’s mission is to advance research and knowledge at the intersection of physics and life sciences. The 2026 Agnes Pockels Award in Lipids and Membrane Biophysics was given to Sarah Veatch, the Daniel Axelrod Collegiate Professor of Biophysics and professor of physics in LSA, for foundational scientific research understanding the miscibility phase transition and associated critical phenomena in membranes and for the rigorous application of these biophysical concepts to cellular processes. The 2026 Klaus Schulten and Zaida Luthey-Schulten Computational Biophysics Lecture Award was given to Charles L. Brooks III, the Cyrus Levinthal Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and Biophysics and Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor in LSA, and professor of macromolecular science and engineering in the College of Engineering, for his pioneering work in protein folding, free energy methods and service to the field of biophysics. The June Almeida Award was given to Melanie Ohi, Rowena G. Matthews Collegiate Professor in the Life Sciences and professor of cell and developmental biology in the Medical School, recognizing established women scientists whose leadership, scholarship, and mentorship have profoundly shaped the field of cryo-electron microscopy. The Sir Bernard Katz Award for Membrane Fusion, Fission, & Traffic Subgroup was awarded to Phyllis Hanson, the Minor J. Coon Legacy Professor of Biological Chemistry, and professor of biological chemistry, of cell and developmental biology, and of neurology in the Medical School, for her research on “Stress, Rupture and Repair: Cellular Responses to Endolysosomal Damage.” The Motility & Cytoskeleton Subgroup Early Career Award was awarded to Morgan DeSantis, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology in LSA, for her research on “Mechanisms of Dynein Regulation.”
The National Academy of Inventors has announced the 2026 class of Senior Members, composed of 230 emerging inventors from NAI’s member institutions. Diann Brei, professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering, was elected. The Senior Member recognition program was launched in 2018, with the guidance of NAI Board Member Sethuraman Panchanathan, FNAI, former Director of the National Science Foundation. The program was created to recognize active faculty, scientists, and administrators at NAI Member Institutions who have successfully produced, patented and commercialized technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society and economic progress. The 2026 class of Senior Members will be honored during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at NAI’s 15th Annual Conference taking place June 1-4 in Los Angeles.
Justin Lucas, senior executive chef at U-M, emerged victorious in the National Association of College & University Food Services 2026 Midwest Culinary Challenge. The high-energy cooking competition, which took place at U-M, was part of NACUFS Engage: Midwest, an educational and networking conference for professionals working in campus dining. Lucas will move on to compete at the NACUFS 2026 National Conference on July 16 in New Orleans, where he will face off against other regional winners from across the country. In addition to earning first place in the Midwest, Lucas earned a gold medal from the American Culinary Federation for his dish, poached catfish with spinach mousseline, white bean ragout, saffron sauce and fried okra. Lucas credited his mentors and peers at Michigan Dining for their support, explaining that he has been practicing “reps” twice a day for the last four days. “It’s pretty relieving — it took a lot of practice,” Lucas said of his win. “Everyone’s been super helpful and supportive. It’s been fun.”
Mark Newman, Anatol Rapoport Distinguished University Professor of Physics, and professor of complex systems in LSA, has been awarded the 2026 John von Neumann Prize — the highest honor and flagship lecture of Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics — for his significant contributions to theoretical and algorithmic aspects of network science and to their use in understanding real-world systems. Newman’s work has illuminated notions of structure within networks and has provided widely used algorithms for finding network structure and for quantifying its impact on the behavior of networks. He has authored multiple books and review papers that have spurred the widespread dissemination of network science concepts across the research community. He will be awarded the prize and deliver the associated lecture at the 2026 SIAM Annual Meeting, which will take place July 6-10 in Cleveland, Ohio. The John von Neumann Prize is awarded annually to an individual for outstanding and distinguished contributions to the field of applied mathematics and for the effective communication of these ideas to the community. It is one of SIAM’s most distinguished prizes. “It’s a tremendous honor to receive this prize,” Newman said. “I see it not only as recognition of my work, but also of the growing field of network science.”
— Submit requests for faculty or staff Accolades to [email protected]. Please attach a photo if you wish for one to be included.
