MacArthur Foundation Names 2026 Class of 'Genius Grants' Recipients

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has named 20 individuals to its 2026 class of fellows. Each recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, often called the "genius grant," is awarded an $800,000 stipend distributed over five years. This funding comes without strings, intended to give recipients the freedom to follow their creative instincts and pursue innovative projects. Among this year’s class is Liangfang Zhang, a UC San Diego professor recognized for developing cell-mimicking nanoparticles to treat disease. The new fellows represent a broad range of disciplines, spanning the sciences, medicine, the arts, and social sciences.

At UC San Diego, Liangfang Zhang chairs the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering. His work focuses on technologies that enable nanoparticles to pass through cellular membranes, delivering medicine more effectively. These advancements may help solve the problem of drug resistance, a major hurdle in modern medicine. Zhang credited his team for the achievement, noting that they have spent 16 years developing cellular nanoparticle technology.

The foundation also recognized Rodney McMillian, a professor of art at UCLA known for transforming everyday objects and historical materials into complex installations. His work has been exhibited in major venues, where he uses his art to examine issues of race, class, and power. McMillian said he hopes those who see his work will use it as a lens to reflect on their own histories and question traditional narratives. His inclusion points to the role of art in shaping public conversation.

The 2026 class includes Ariel Ron, a UC Berkeley alumnus who researches the historical impact of agriculture on the United States, and Holly Jean Buck, an interdisciplinary social scientist focused on the adoption of clean energy. Song Lin, previously a postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley, was selected for his research in electrochemistry, which seeks more sustainable ways to synthesize drugs. Together, these individuals illustrate how original thinking can be applied to a wide variety of global challenges.

The MacArthur Fellowship remains a steady source of support for those working at the edges of their fields. Beyond the financial award, the program offers a visible platform for fellows to bring their ideas to a larger public. As these 20 individuals continue their work, their projects carry the potential to influence many different parts of society. The foundation continues its long-standing practice of identifying and investing in people whose originality offers new ways of understanding the world.