Fred Hutch Cancer Center Announces 2026 Harold M. Weintraub Award Recipients
Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle has announced the selection of 12 recipients for the prestigious Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award. This accolade acknowledges outstanding contributions in the field of biological sciences. This year's talented honorees hail from esteemed research institutions across the United States, focusing on pivotal studies such as tumor metabolism, sensory reception, and DNA replication.
“These awardees stood out for their scientific originality, rigor, and dedication to asking important scientific questions. They reflect the strength and promise of the next generation of scientific leaders,” said Jihong Bai, PhD, a professor in Fred Hutch’s Basic Sciences Division and director of the Weintraub awards committee. He emphasized that their achievements underscore the enduring and inspiring power of science.
An event to celebrate these exemplary students will take place on May 1 during the Weintraub Symposium at Fred Hutch. Named in honor of Dr. Harold "Hal" Weintraub, a pioneering molecular biologist, the award has recognized 361 graduate students worldwide since its inception 27 years ago. Dr. Weintraub was pivotal in establishing Fred Hutch’s Basic Sciences Division, which remains at the forefront of scientific innovation.
The selection process involves a committee led by Bai, comprising Fred Hutch faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. They evaluate candidates based on the originality and significance of their research contributions. Bai noted the innovative work of the applicants, which cements their role as contributors to their scientific fields.
2026 Award Recipients
- Keene Abbott, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Gabriella Chua, Rockefeller University
- Lifei Jiang, Princeton University
- Won Jun Kim, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Ruchita Kothari, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Ayush Midha, University of California, San Francisco
- Rohith Rajasekaran, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Yusha Sun, University of Pennsylvania
- Andrea Terceros, Rockefeller University
- Wendy Valencia Montoya, Harvard University
- Zachary Walsh, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Peter Yoon, University of California, Berkeley
The award's funding stems from the Weintraub/Groudine Fellowship for Science and Human Disease, promoting intellectual engagement among graduate scholars. Fred Hutch Cancer Center is widely recognized for its significant contributions to cancer research and treatment, notably in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, and infectious disease prevention. Collaborating with UW Medicine, Fred Hutch enhances oncology services across its clinical care sites, holding the distinction of being the sole National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington state.