The University of Minnesota is proud to announce that Benjamin Magruder (Ph.D. ’25, Chemical Engineering) is a recipient of the 2026 Schmidt Science Fellows award. Magruder joins an elite cohort of 32 emerging scientists dedicated to breaking down barriers between disciplines to accelerate positive global impact.
Schmidt Science Fellows enables the world’s best young scientists to "pivot" from their Ph.D. discipline to pursue bold interdisciplinary research. To support this transition, fellows receive $110,000 per year for up to two years to conduct postdoctoral work at a university anywhere in the world. Recipients also benefit from a long-term network of mentoring and leadership training designed to help early-career researchers amplify their scientific impact and lead with purpose.
”Our goal is to make it easier for scientists to pursue the big questions that will accelerate progress and discovery,” said James Ricci, director of science systems at Schmidt Sciences. “Schmidt Science Fellows gives outstanding early-career researchers the support and community to make that leap and helps build a culture where ambitious, boundary-crossing work can thrive.”
The Power of the Pivot
During his graduate studies in Kevin Dorfman's research group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Magruder focused on computational polymer physics. He used self-consistent field theory to model how block polymers 'self-assemble'—a process where molecules organize themselves into intricate, highly ordered patterns. These specialized nanomaterials have applications in lithography, membrane filtration, optics, and more. Magruder contributed significantly to the PSCF open-source software and co-authored a research primer about self-consistent field theory. His interdisciplinary work and community leadership earned him the Amelar-Lodge Fellowship.
As a Schmidt Science Fellow, Magruder will transition from materials science to biochemistry. Magruder is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, where he has already begun pivoting into biochemistry research. He is working with a team of researchers to improve our understanding of the onset of neurodegenerative diseases by investigating how neurons malfunction at the molecular level.
"Working across disciplines allows more perspectives, methods, and ideas to be brought to a problem, producing stronger outcomes and better science," said Magruder. "With this fellowship, I'll develop a larger toolkit for addressing the specific challenges of my research in the short term, and a greater breadth of expertise from which to generate innovative, interdisciplinary research ideas that I can pursue later in my career. I am immensely grateful to my postdoc advisors and the Schmidt Science Fellowship for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity."
A Leader in Interdisciplinary Discovery
The University of Minnesota stands as one of only a few public institutions invited to nominate candidates for the prestigious Schmidt Science Fellows, underscoring the University's position as a growing hub for interdisciplinary science.
These interdisciplinary strengths—spanning sustainable agriculture, biomedical innovations, green biotechnology, and AI—form the bedrock of a research ecosystem rooted in collaboration. And by aligning its research and teaching missions, the University fosters an environment where innovation is leveraged to address complex challenges for the greater good.
"Our position as a global leader in interdisciplinary research creates a unique environment for our students to flourish," said Kim Kirkpatrick, associate vice president for research. "Programs like Schmidt Science Fellows recognize that the world's most pressing challenges cannot be solved in isolation. By cultivating a culture where our researchers are encouraged to bridge disparate fields, we are accelerating the pace of discovery and preparing the next generation of leaders to drive meaningful global change."
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
To transform pioneering insights into tangible student success, the University leverages a comprehensive, systemwide support network. Magruder is the first student from the University to receive the Schmidt Science Fellows award since the institution was invited to become a nominating partner in 2025.
Building on the deep-rooted scholarship and discovery within the University's colleges and departments, the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Graduate School, and the Research and Innovation Office—whose recent collaboration helped secure the University as a nominating institution for the Schmidt Science Fellows program—serve as vital catalysts in a broader framework designed to champion our high-potential researchers. By augmenting the work happening across our campuses, this partnership keeps the University globally competitive and delivers lasting benefits to the economy and communities of our state.
"Together we are building a sustainable ecosystem where our students and researchers can reach their full potential," said Steve Corkery, vice president of corporate and foundation engagement at the University of Minnesota Foundation. "By bridging the gap between institutional resources and global philanthropic opportunities, we’re ensuring that University of Minnesota talent has a seat at the table where the world’s most complex challenges are being solved."
Magruder's achievement underscores a broader commitment to providing an environment where graduate researchers can thrive and transition into impactful careers. The success of the Schmidt Science Fellows partnership serves as a blueprint for future collaborations between academia and mission-based organizations and as a testament to what is possible when world-class talent meets a supportive, interconnected research ecosystem.
"This partnership allows us to identify our most promising scholars early and provide them with the strategic backing to pursue bold research," said Sophia Beal, Associate Dean, Graduate Fellowships and Awards. "We are thrilled that Ben is our inaugural fellow and that his impactful work and dedication to cross-disciplinary discovery have been recognized on this global stage. He is a rising star in the next generation of scientists."
Read the Schmidt Science Fellows press release announcing its 2026 fellows.