Five distinguished faculty members from New York University (NYU) have recently been recognized as recipients of the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowships for 2025. This recognition underscores NYU’s commitment to fostering innovative research and highlights the exceptional contributions of its faculty in the fields of economics, chemistry, and mathematical sciences. The Sloan Fellowships are awarded annually to young researchers who exemplify creativity, innovation, and a significant promise of impact in their respective fields.
The announcement came from the Sloan Foundation, which described these fellowships as acknowledgments of “exceptional U.S. and Canadian researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of leaders.” The foundational goal is to support scientists and scholars who are expected to shape the future of their fields dramatically. Since the inception of these fellowships in 1955, an impressive total of 98 faculty members from NYU have received this esteemed recognition, reflecting the university’s longstanding dedication to academic excellence and its vibrant research community.
Among the 2025 Sloan Fellows is Corina Boar, an assistant professor in the Department of Economics. Her groundbreaking research delves into the intricate dynamics of consumer and firm behaviors, offering vital insights into aggregate consumption and capital accumulation. By blending advanced economic modeling with microeconomic data, she investigates the intricacies of wealth and income inequality. Boar’s innovative work on price adjustment models aims to unravel the complex factors behind inflation dynamics, contributing crucial knowledge that could inform future economic policies.
Glen Hocky, another dynamic recipient of the fellowship, hails from the Department of Chemistry. Hocky employs computational techniques to explore the fascinating interactions of molecules as they work together within complex systems. His research sits at the intersection of various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, physics, and materials science. Currently, he focuses on understanding how mechanical tensions influence molecular behavior within cells, aspiring to design new materials with desirable properties through self-assembly processes. Hocky’s future endeavors promise to bridge critical gaps in our understanding of material properties and biological interactions.
Chao Li, an assistant professor at NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, offers an intriguing perspective on the intersection of mathematics and physics through his research on geometric variational theory. This area of study examines how surfaces, such as soap bubbles and black holes, behave in relation to their surrounding environments. Li employs variational techniques to unveil profound connections between curvature conditions and the topological structures present in high-dimensional spaces. His analytical approach promises to unlock new possibilities in the theoretical understanding of geometry and its applications in the physical sciences.
Tania Lupoli, a member of the Department of Chemistry, seeks to make strides in addressing some of the pressing challenges in modern medicine through her innovative research on antibiotics and diagnostics. By leveraging multidisciplinary strategies that amalgamate chemistry and microbiology, Lupoli aims to create advanced substances that can help combat hard-to-treat infections. Her current projects range from developing probes that modulate protein folding to studying the unique sugar motifs on bacterial surfaces necessary for infection. Lupoli’s work is critical, as antibiotic resistance poses an increasing threat to public health worldwide.
Lastly, Lerrel Pinto, an assistant professor at NYU, focuses on robotics and artificial intelligence. His research targets the development of general-purpose robots capable of learning and adapting to the complexities of natural environments. Pinto’s innovative approach combines the creation of novel sensors, data accumulation from practical applications, and machine learning techniques to enhance robotic capabilities. His emphasis on open-sourced and low-cost research initiatives has the potential to democratize advancements in robotics, making them accessible to a broader range of scientific communities.
Each of these distinguished fellows will receive a grant of $75,000 distributed over a two-year period to further their groundbreaking research. This financial support is not merely a reward; it is a strategic investment in the future of science and innovation. The historical significance of the Sloan Fellowship is underscored by the fact that many past recipients have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including winning a Nobel Prize, the Fields Medal in mathematics, and the National Medal of Science. Notably, 58 Sloan Fellows have received a Nobel Prize, demonstrating the fellowship’s role in identifying and nurturing talent with transformative potential.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has established itself as a pillar of support for original research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics since its inception in 1934. Its commitment to advancing knowledge through strategic funding has facilitated numerous breakthroughs across various academic fields. The foundation’s impact extends beyond individual researchers; it cultivates scholarly communities that contribute significantly to the advancement of knowledge and societal progress.
New York University itself represents a beacon of research and education, with a global footprint that spans multiple campuses and academic sites worldwide. The university’s dedication to excellence in various fields, including the arts and sciences, law, medicine, and engineering, underscores its status as a leading research institution. The roster of distinguished faculty, alongside its robust research funding that exceeds $1 billion annually, positions NYU at the forefront of academic inquiry and innovation.
In conclusion, the recognition of these five outstanding faculty members showcases the vibrant intellectual climate at NYU and the university’s ongoing commitment to nurturing groundbreaking research. The diverse research interests of these fellows reflect a broader trend in scientific exploration, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and the quest for innovative solutions to complex challenges. As they embark on their fellowship-supported research journeys, the scientific community and society as a whole eagerly anticipate the new knowledge and advancements that will emerge from their work.
These fellowships not only affirm the talents and contributions of the recipients but also serve as a reminder of the crucial role that academic institutions play in advancing science and the arts. The future of research is bright, and the 2025 Sloan Fellows at NYU are poised to lead the way.
Subject of Research: Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Robotics
Article Title: NYU Faculty Honored as 2025 Sloan Research Fellows
News Publication Date: October 2023
Web References: https://sloan.org/fellows/2025-fellows
References: https://sloan.org/fellowships/2025-fellows, https://sloan.org/fellows-database
Image Credits: Image courtesy of New York University
