Four Indian American researchers have been awarded the 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships, recognizing their contributions to science and innovation in their respective fields.
Four Indian American researchers have been named among the 126 recipients of the prestigious 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships. Aayush Jain, Arun Kumar Kuchibhotla, and Aditi Raghunathan from Carnegie Mellon University, along with Anand Natarajan from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have been honored for their exceptional research accomplishments.
The Sloan Research Fellowships, awarded annually by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, celebrate early-career researchers who demonstrate creativity and innovation in their fields. Each fellowship includes a two-year grant of $75,000, which can be utilized flexibly to support the fellow’s research initiatives.
Stacie Bloom, president and CEO of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, remarked, “The Sloan Research Fellows are among the most promising early-career researchers in the U.S. and Canada, already driving meaningful progress in their respective disciplines. We look forward to seeing how these exceptional scholars continue to unlock new scientific advancements, redefine their fields, and foster the well-being and knowledge of all.”
Aayush Jain serves as an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on theoretical and applied cryptography, particularly the mathematical foundations that ensure the security of modern cryptographic systems. Jain aims to identify new sources of computational hardness and strengthen the long-term security of encrypted computation, addressing critical gaps in post-quantum cryptography. Additionally, he is dedicated to training graduate students in foundational cryptographic theory.
Arun Kumar Kuchibhotla, an associate professor in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at Carnegie Mellon, tackles foundational challenges in statistical inference and predictive learning. His work has significant applications in machine learning and artificial intelligence, where he develops robust, “assumption-lean” frameworks for uncertainty quantification. Kuchibhotla’s research also contributes to financial time series forecasting and causal inference significance testing. He has pioneered “honest inference” procedures, such as the Hull-based Confidence Method (HulC), which maintain validity in high-dimensional and irregular settings where traditional methods often falter.
Aditi Raghunathan, also an assistant professor in the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon, focuses on understanding the vulnerabilities of AI systems and developing models that are safe, accurate, and reliable in real-world applications. She leads the AI Reliability Lab, which is dedicated to creating trustworthy AI through rigorous analysis and principled methodologies. Raghunathan’s research has garnered recognition at prestigious conferences and plays a crucial role in promoting responsible AI system design and deployment.
Anand Natarajan, an associate professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, is a principal investigator at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. His research primarily revolves around quantum complexity theory, exploring the power of interactive proofs and arguments within a quantum framework. Natarajan’s work aims to evaluate the complexity of computational problems in quantum settings, assessing both the capabilities and the reliability of quantum computers. He holds a PhD in physics from MIT, along with an MS in computer science and a BS in physics from Stanford University. Before joining MIT in 2020, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter at Caltech.
The recognition of these four researchers underscores the significant contributions of Indian Americans in advancing scientific knowledge and innovation. Their work not only enhances their respective fields but also sets a foundation for future breakthroughs in technology and research.
According to The American Bazaar, the Sloan Research Fellowships continue to highlight the importance of supporting early-career scientists who are poised to make substantial impacts in their disciplines.