ORISE announces winners of its 2026 Future of Science Awards
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Future of Science Awards.
The winners were recognized during a virtual ceremony held on Aug. 28, 2026, as part of the second annual ORISE Symposium.
Presented annually since 2022, the Future of Science Awards celebrate excellence by ORISE program participants in the areas of scientific achievement, professional growth, project contributions and leadership. The awards also honor exceptional mentors who have played a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring ORISE participants.
Awards are presented in four categories: undergraduate student and post-baccalaureate; graduate student and post-master’s; postdoctoral; and mentor. Each participant winner receives a $1,000 prize, while all winners — including the mentor awardee — receive an award plaque and formal recognition from ORISE.
Undergraduate Student and Post-Baccalaureate Award
Andrew Kim
Program: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Defense
University: Georgetown University
Nominated by mentor Alakesh Bera, Ph.D.
Graduate Student and Post-Master’s Award
Lauren Dudley
Program: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Most Recent University: Johns Hopkins University
Nominated by mentor Mark Baldwin
Postdoctoral Award
Kerry Candlen, Ph.D.
Program: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, U.S. Department of Defense
Most Recent University: University of Massachusetts, Lowell
Nominated by mentor Danielle Froio-Blumsack
Mentor Award
Tirthankar Ghosal, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Nominated by Carey Wilson, participant in the Visiting Scholars at ORNL program
Watch the Future of Science Awards ceremony
To watch video statements from winners and their nominators, and for information regarding next year’s Future of Science Awards, visit the ORISE Future of Science Awards page.
Media Contacts
Pam Bonee
Director, Communications
Phone: 865.603.5142
pam.bonee@orau.org
Wendy West
Manager, Communications
Phone: 865.207.7953
wendy.west@orau.org
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) asset that is dedicated to enabling critical scientific, research, and health initiatives of the department and its laboratory system by providing world class expertise in STEM workforce development, scientific and technical reviews, and the evaluation of radiation exposure and environmental contamination.
ORISE is managed by ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, for DOE’s Office of Science. The single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, the Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.osti.gov.