Chemistry Alum Vyshnavi Vennelakanti Selected as 2025 CAS Future Leader
The CAS Future Leaders program recognizes the most promising early-career scientists and equips them with leadership training and networking opportunities.
Vyshnavi Vennelakanti (’23) was selected as a 2025 CAS Future Leader, a highly selective program recognizing the most promising future leaders in chemistry, for her work towards identifying a sustainable CO2-emission free route to ammonia synthesis using computational chemistry methods. Fewer than 4% of applicants are chosen for this prestigious program.
Vennelakanti studied in Heather J. Kulik‘s lab during her time at MIT, and is currently conducting postdoctoral research at Princeton University. She aspires to pursue a career in academia where she can continue carrying out research towards sustainable chemistry.
Kulik noted, “There are a number of things that made Vyshnavi’s tenure in my group particularly remarkable. She tackled a wide range of outstanding challenges in theoretical and computational chemistry from predicting spin crossover in materials to understanding biological models of catalysis and she demonstrated a deep commitment to mentoring young scientists, which was recognized previously in the Chemistry department with a mentoring spotlight award. Vyshnavi also received a CCG Graduate Excellence award from the ACS COMP division for her PhD thesis work.”
As a member of the 2025 class, Vennelakanti will join a group of exceptional PhD students and postdoctoral scholars from around the world to take the next steps in their leadership journey, starting this fall.
“This is an incredible opportunity,” Vennelakanti shared, “and I am very grateful to Prof. Kulik for supporting my application. I am very excited to meet and forge connections with fellow CAS Future Leaders from around the world as I embark on this journey to enhance my science communication and leadership skills.”
Since 2010, the CAS Future Leaders program has provided opportunities for early-career scientists to learn leadership skills, engage in scientific discourse, and connect with peer scientists and innovators from around the world.
