The Allen Institute’s 2025 Next Generation Leaders (NGL) cohort features eight talented researchers exploring the frontiers of bioscience and pursuing insights into biology with the potential to advance human health.

“We are so excited to welcome the newest cohort of Next Generation Leaders to the Allen Institute community. These exceptional early-career scientists are on a path to transform bioscience fields, and we look forward to being part of their journey,” said Julie Harris, Ph.D., vice president of the Allen Institute’s Office of Science and Innovation. “All of them demonstrate scientific excellence and are on a sharp trajectory to making an impact in their fields and beyond.”

The 2025 Next Generation Leaders

Janet Song, Ph.D.

Harvard University

Marissa Scavuzzo, Ph.D.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Stephen Zhang, Ph.D.

New York University

Selmaan Chettih, Ph.D.

Columbia University

Leenoy Meshulam, Ph.D.

Brown University

Yapeng Su, Ph.D.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Yuchuan Miao, Ph.D.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Chris Obara, Ph.D.

UC San Diego School of Medicine

The NGL program began in 2014 and highlights the vital contributions of early-career researchers to the field of science. Each NGL will complete a three-year term and contribute to ongoing research across the Allen Institute; engage with team, big, and open science practices; and ultimately act as ambassadors for the Allen Institute and its open science resources.

“Participating in the Next Generation Leaders program was incredibly eye opening. I learned so much seeing the inner workings of one of the largest institutes dedicated to neuroscience, from the collaborative spirit of researchers, the institute-wide culture of innovation, through to observing the goals and directions of the advisors and leadership,” said Tomasz Nowakowski, Ph.D., associate professor of neurological surgery at the University of California, San Francisco and former NGL. “The experience has helped me realize the incredible opportunities we have to understand, and one day treat, human brain disorders if we work together.”

The program fosters a synergistic exchange of ideas between its expanding network of talent and Allen Institute scientists and provides researchers with access to a community of peers at similar stages in their careers across different organizations. This environment gives NGLs the chance to engage in cutting-edge research at the Allen Institute and its mission-driven moonshots propelled by big, team, and open science principles. The Allen Institute benefits through their fresh perspectives, creativity, and advice, which can help shape current and future directions.

“Through the Next Generation Leaders program, I made meaningful connections with brilliant early-career scientists across disciplines,” said Cindy Poo, Ph.D., former NGL member and current senior scientist at the Allen Institute. “The network and community I built continue to enrich my research and career to this day.”

The program continues to expand beyond neuroscience. This year, researchers bring critical expertise in theory, immunology, and cell biology, which aligns with the Allen Institute’s vision of collaborative, cross disciplinary science aimed at advancing human health and our understanding foundational principles in biology.