In Brief: Ten from Harvard College named 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Two current Harvard College students and eight recent alumni join the newest cohort of Stanford University’s global graduate fellowship program
Two Harvard College students and eight recent alumni are among the recipients selected as 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Stanford University’s multidisciplinary graduate fellowship program that supports emerging leaders pursuing graduate education across the university.
The fellowship provides scholars with funding for graduate study at Stanford while emphasizing leadership development, collaboration, and public impact. The 2026 cohort includes students pursuing degrees in medicine, law, sustainability, neuroscience, psychology, business, and the humanities.
Among this year’s scholars are Harvard College seniors Sophie-An Kingsbury Lee ’26 and Leo Vanciu ’26.
Sophie-An Kingsbury Lee ’26, from New York City, plans to pursue a PhD in Earth System Science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability after completing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Engineering and a master’s degree in Engineering at Harvard. Her research examines the economic effects of childhood exposure to air pollution and the impacts of extreme climate events on vulnerable populations.
Leo Vanciu ’26, from Montreal, Canada, is concentrating in Statistics at Harvard College, where his work focuses on Bayesian methods and public health. His recent research explored links between extreme heat and firearm violence in urban America. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a PhD in Statistics at Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences.
The eight Harvard College alumni named 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars include:
- Craig McFarland ’25 of Jacksonville, Florida, who studied Neuroscience at Harvard and will pursue both a PhD in Neurosciences at the Stanford School of Medicine and a JD at Stanford Law School
- Peggy Yin ’25 of Port Jefferson, New York, who studied Computational Neuroscience and Art History and will pursue a PhD in Psychology in Stanford’s School of Humanities and Sciences
- Simar Bajaj ’24 of Fremont, California, who studied Chemistry and History of Science and will pursue an MD at Stanford School of Medicine
- Joshua Park ’24 of Sydney, Australia, who studied History and East Asian Studies and will pursue both a JD at Stanford Law School and a PhD in History in Stanford’s School of Humanities and Sciences
- Alexa Jordan ’23 of Aurora, Illinois, who studied Government and Economics and will pursue a JD at Stanford Law School
- Maggie Chen ’22 of San Diego, California, who studied Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and History of Science and will pursue an MD and PhD in Genetics at Stanford School of Medicine
- Trisha Prabhu ’22 of Naperville, Illinois, who studied Government with a secondary in Economics and will pursue an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business while concurrently earning a JD at Yale Law School
- Olivia Graham ’21 of Toronto, Canada, who studied Computer Science with a secondary in Mind, Brain, and Behavior at Harvard College, will pursue an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business
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Craig McFarland ’25
Peggy Yin ’25
Simar Bajaj ’24
Joshua Park ’24
Alexa Jordan ’23
Maggie Chen ’22
Trisha Prabhu ’22
Olivia Graham ’21
The scholars’ work spans fields including neuroscience, public health, artificial intelligence, genetics, law, climate science, and technology policy. Several have also been recognized through honors including Rhodes, Marshall, and Knox scholarships, and have contributed research, journalism, and public service initiatives with national and global impact.
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program was established in 2016 and brings together graduate students from around the world to study at Stanford University while developing leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
Information and photos courtesy of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University. Learn more at knight-hennessy.stanford.edu.
