Inaugural Class of XtalPi AI for Science Fellows present Virtual Symposium

by Danielle Randall Doughty | Department of Chemistry |
Categories: Awards, Events, Students

The 2025–2026 XtalPi AI for Science Fellows presented their work on Monday, May 11, 2026.

The inaugural class of XtalPi AI for Science Fellows—Peter Miedaner, Anh Nguyen, Jihye Roh, and Nate Somers—concluded their fellowship year with a Virtual Symposium held via Zoom on May 11, 2026.

At the event, each fellow presented research focused at the intersection of chemistry, chemical engineering, machine learning, and automation. Following the presentations, Masha Elkin, the D. Reid (1941) and Barbara J. Weedon Career Development Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Co-Director of the Fellowship Program, announced that applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are officially open. The deadline to apply is June 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

The XtalPi AI for Science Fellowships were made possible by a gift from XtalPi, a biotechnology company founded by former MIT postdoctoral researchers, to the MIT Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Candidate Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled as a graduate student in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
  • Must have completed at least one year of graduate study by September 1, 2026.
  • Must not be otherwise supported by a fellowship.
  • Preferred: An established track record of working at the intersection of Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or Automation.

Fellows are expected to participate in a poster session at the conclusion of the fellowship year. For more information on the application process, please visit the XtalPi AI for Science Fellowship page on the Department of Chemistry’s website.

2025 – 2026 XtalPi AI for Science Fellows

Peter Miedaner smiles in an urban setting.
Peter Miedaner

Peter Miedaner, 2025–2026 XtalPi AI for Science Fellow
“Bridging Machine Learning and Nonlinear Optics with Equivariant Neutral Networks”

Anh Nguyen smiles in an outdoor urban setting.
Anh Nguyen

Anh Nguyen, 2025–2026 XtalPi AI for Science Fellow
“Computational Elucidation of Abiotic Activity in Metalloenzymes”

Jihye Roh smiles against a blank white background.
Jihye Roh

Jihye Roh 2025–2026 XtalPi AI for Science Fellow
“Hierarchical Framework for Computer-Aided Retrosynthesis”

Nate Somers smiles in front of a dark background.
Nate Somers

Nate Somers, 2025–2026 XtalPi AI for Science Fellow
“Engineering Conformational Ensembles to Control Molecular Properties”