Ten emerging research leaders named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars
Liz Do
May 29, 2024
Poised to make an impact in their fields and on the world, meet the 2024-2026 cohort of CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars
From studying the mind and its place in the natural world to uncovering the mysteries of the extreme universe, the newest cohort of CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars represents some of today's brightest early-career researchers.
This year, 10 emerging research leaders will join the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program, generously supported by the Azrieli Foundation. This ambitious next-generation initiative provides two years of unrestricted funding to talented researchers tackling important and pressing questions facing science and humanity.
The program also provides Global Scholars with the unique opportunity to work alongside established researchers in an interdisciplinary and globally collaborative environment.
The recruitment process for the latest cohort generated 285 eligible applications from 38 countries. The 10 researchers who were selected will join four CIFAR programs: CIFAR MacMillan Multiscale Human, Future Flourishing, Gravity & the Extreme Universe and Humanity’s Urban Future.
The group includes scholars from institutions in Canada, the United States, Chile and the United Kingdom. The geographic diversity is also enriched by their countries of origin, including Colombia, Germany, Nigeria, Peru, Romania and South Africa.
“At CIFAR, we believe in the power of diverse and interdisciplinary research groups to advance fundamental research that drives impact. This includes welcoming — and fostering — new talent from different sectors, perspectives and geographies,” says CIFAR’s President & CEO Stephen Toope.
“The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program is a truly unique opportunity for our scholars to advance their work and make global connections that enable discoveries,” he added. “I would also like to thank the Azrieli Foundation for their steadfast and long-time support of the next generation of research leaders through this invaluable program.”
MEET THE CIFAR AZRIELI GLOBAL SCHOLARS, 2024-2026
CIFAR MACMILLAN MULTISCALE HUMAN
Bianca Dumitrascu’s research focuses on understanding how genes, cell shapes and mechanical forces interact during development, regeneration and healing.
Ann Gregory’s work explores the human virome, the vast collection of viruses residing within and on our bodies.
Tobias Wenzel develops ultra-high throughput methods like Droplet Microfluidics, leveraging tiny water droplets as miniature labs to capture maximum biological complexity.
FUTURE FLOURISHING
Ali Boyle investigates the mind in nonhumans, including animals and AI systems, with the goal of understanding the diverse forms of memory that exist across species.
Alejandra Echeverri studies Neotropical birds, conservation psychology, environmental policy and community ecology.
Luke Stark’s research explores the history and contemporary effects of AI designed to interact with humans.
GRAVITY & THE EXTREME UNIVERSE
Carlos Argüelles-Delgado’s research searches for the unknown mechanism generating neutrino masses and the physics connected with quantum gravity.
Katelin Schutz’s research reimagines astrophysical systems as particle physics experiments that already exist “for free” in nature.
HUMANITY'S URBAN FUTURE
Daniel Agbiboa’s research is at the intersection of urban, security and environmental governance in contemporary Africa.
Benjamin Bradlow’s work connects urbanization, climate change, industrial change and the political challenges for democracy that confront societies across the globe.