Seven UMass Amherst undergraduates have been named Spring 2026 Rising Researchers in recognition of their outstanding research, scholarship and creative activity in a variety of fields.

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These students are breaking new ground in areas such as medicine, technology, sustainability, and the environment. They are working to make AI more reliable and ethical, uncovering the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, shedding light on the transport of microplastics in the ocean, and using art to advocate for more ethical and sustainable practices in the floral industry. They have discovered a love for research, which some plan to pursue in graduate school and beyond. 

The Spring 2026 Rising Researchers are:

• Milo Van Moy ’26, physics, Commonwealth Honors College
• Kylie Campana ’26, biochemistry and molecular biology
• Jason Huang Alexander ’27, computer science, Commonwealth Honors College
• Logan Penney ’26, ceramics
• Eden Vachtel ’26, biomedical engineering, Commonwealth Honors College
• Marie Fandy ’26, kinesiology, Commonwealth Honors College
• Anna Vincze ’26, biochemistry and molecular biology, Commonwealth Honors College

To read more about the Spring 2026 Rising Researchers, and for more information on the nomination process, eligibility and recognition, visit the Student Research Awards page.