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APS Members Named as 2018 MacArthur Fellows

Two APS members are among the winners of coveted grants from the MacArthur Foundation

October 9, 2018 | Leah Poffenberger

Each year, the MacArthur Foundation identifies 20 to 30 talented individuals to receive a prestigious fellowship. The 2018 Fellows, selected for originality and dedication to their pursuits in art or science, include two APS members: Clifford Brangwynne (Princeton University) and Sarah T. Stewart (University of California, Davis).

Brangwynne, a biophysical engineer, combines soft matter physics and cell biology to investigate mechanisms of cellular compartmentalization that drive biological development. His findings may shed light on the development of disease and may open up new areas of research at the intersection of biology and physics. Brangwynne was an invited speaker at the 2014 APS March Meeting.

Stewart received the MacArthur Fellowship for her contributions to new theories of planet formation and evolution, including a new theory of the Moon’s formation. As a planetary scientist, Stewart uses a combination of shock physics experiments, theoretical models and computational simulations to better understand the formation of planets and the development of their physical, geological and geochemical features. Stewart is a member of the APS Topical Group on Shock Compression of Condensed Matter.

Clifford Brangwynne 2018John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Clifford Brangwynne, Princeton University

Sarah T. Stewart 2018John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Sarah T. Stewart, University of California, Davis

The MacArthur Fellowship awards each recipient with a $625,000 gran to invest in their personal creativity and innovation. Visit the MacArthur Foundation website to learn more about the Fellowship and this year’s Fellows.

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