An Astronaut, Olympian, AI Pioneer and MacArthur Prize Winner Among Those Named to Society for Science List of Notable Alumni

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Society for Science added 10 inspiring alumni to our “Notable Alumni” list, which highlights alumni of our Science Talent Search (STS), International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and middle school STEM competition who embody the principles of leadership, innovation and global impact.

The webpage, which can be viewed here, includes individual profiles with contemporary assets, highlighting the lasting contributions these alumni have made to their fields, as well as archival Society content from their competition experience. The list was launched in March 2022, with more than 100 alumni, and the Society plans to add to this list as the organization’s more than 70,000 alumni continue to contribute to their fields.

The additions are:

  • Founder and CEO of Entagen and Vyasa, Christopher Bouton, who is a leader in data integration and AI
  • Co-Founder of WHOOP John Capodilupo, who continues to make strides in health technology as a founder of Throne, a gut technology startup;
  • Retired Vice Admiral Walter “Ted” Carter, who is president of Ohio State University;
  • Two-time Olympian and Long Island University Athletic Hall of Famer Maria Coffey, who earned her PhD in biomedical science;
  • Major Adam Fuhrmann, who was selected for the 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class;
  • Co-Founder of Leap Motion and founder of Midjourney, David Holz, whose company enables users to generate unique artwork through text prompts;
  • Zoox Co-Founder Jesse Levinson, who is working towards a future where autonomous vehicles are commonplace;
  • The late author Joanna Russ, a celebrated feminist scholar and author who transformed science fiction;
  • Venture capitalist Sheel Tyle, who seeks to build companies that matter; and
  • MacArthur Fellow Lauren Williams who is the second-ever tenured female math professor at Harvard University

“We are pleased to celebrate and recognize these extraordinary individuals who are innovators, leaders and pioneers,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of the Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News. “The Society is honored to have played a role in supporting these remarkable individuals at the beginning of their scientific journeys.”

Each alumnus was named to the list based on their professional accomplishments and lasting contributions to advancing science and improving the world in which we live.

About Society for Science

Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its STEM outreach programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.