Introducing the 2026 Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars cohort

The University of Pittsburgh David C. Frederick Honors College has announced its 2026 cohort of Rees-Chancellor's Scholars.

Expanded and reenvisioned in 2025 by a historic $30 million gift from Pitt alumnus Michael Rees (ENGR '97, A&S '97, FHC '97), this prestigious program is designed to recruit and support the nation's most brilliant young minds, providing them with a launchpad for visionary leadership and high-impact discovery within an elite academic community.

The 2026 cohort represents the pinnacle of academic excellence, featuring 14 scholars recruited from 8 different states - including Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Texas, California, New Jersey, Delaware and Alabama. These exceptional students were chosen for their record of remarkable achievement and their potential to drive progress in fields such as neuroscience, bioengineering, public policy and computer science.

The Rees-Chancellor's Scholars Program offers an unparalleled undergraduate experience, including full tuition, room and board, centered on a cohort-based model that prioritizes interdisciplinary growth. By bringing together scholars from diverse fields and providing support for global and internship experiences, the program provides the support, resources and mentorship to expand beyond traditional academic boundaries to solve complex problems.

A cornerstone of the program is its commitment to student research, where scholars receive unparalleled access to undergraduate research opportunities, allowing them to work alongside world-class faculty across fields.

"We are delighted to welcome a cohort of such extraordinary caliber to the Frederick Honors College. These scholars represent the next generation of pioneers who will help lead and innovate the future of their respective industries, and we cannot wait to see what they achieve during their time here," said Nicola Foote, dean of the Frederick Honors College.

The University's application opened Aug. 1; students should apply to the David C. Frederick Honors College by the Dec. 1 priority deadline for consideration as a Rees-Chancellor's Scholars candidate.

Benjamin Arbelaez

Hometown: Somerdale, New Jersey

Major: Industrial engineering

A lifelong music lover and former drum major with a passion for improving systems, Arbelaez's interest in engineering was sparked by observing the seamless design of complex systems, leading him to pursue expertise in supply chain and data analysis. At Pitt, he looks forward to combining his technical studies with a music minor while striving to innovate and elevate the communities around him.

Samuel Caplan

Hometown: Hockessin, Delaware

Major: Public policy

Caplan is a multi-instrumentalist driven by a passion for political activism and community leadership. He has already begun his journey in local politics and looks forward to integrating himself into the Pittsburgh political landscape. His academic aspirations focus on researching education policy, environmental policy and socioeconomic disparities to better help his community.

Andy Coffey

Hometown: Coppell, Texas

Major: Bioengineering

Coffey is a certified EMT driven by a fascination with how the human body and brain function. She seeks to explore the intersections of bioengineering, emergency medicine and social justice. At Pitt, Coffey looks forward to engaging in research topics from molecular networks to government initiatives while preparing for a career as a surgeon.

Ikksha "Kiekie" Das

Hometown: West Hills, California

Major: Biochemistry

Das has extensive leadership experience as a high-ranking JROTC cadet and as the founder of a nonprofit dedicated to supporting neurodivergent students. At Pitt, she aspires to integrate biochemistry with anthropology to advance more equitable, culturally informed and personalized approaches to medicine.

Logan Hollowood

Hometown: Washington, Pennsylvania

Major: Computer engineering

Hollowood is a robotics enthusiast inspired by the fulfillment of helping others succeed. In high school, he dedicated time to mentoring under-resourced robotics teams and providing a safe space for peers at a local teen center. At Pitt, Hollowood aspires to apply his skills in autonomous robotics and computer engineering to impactful fields like search and rescue.

Jacob Johnson

Hometown: Pittsburgh

Major: Bioengineering

Johnson believes the world's most important problems require interdisciplinary solutions. He has already gained significant experience through three summers of research in startups and academia, focusing on immunoengineering and regenerative medicine. At Pitt, he seeks to combine his willingness to ask big questions with a career dedicated to real-world scientific impact.

Rylie Loughran

Hometown: Pittsburgh

Major: Computer science

Loughran has distinguished herself through four years of leadership in robotics and active engagement with legislators to promote community STEM funding. At Pitt, she aspires to engage in interdisciplinary research that leverages machine learning to advance healthcare outcomes and biomedical research.

Arathena McCormick

Hometown: Pittsburgh

Major: Education

McCormick is a bilingual valedictorian driven by a deep commitment to educational equity and restorative justice. She has spent years teaching dance and vocal performance to younger students. Her academic aspirations include earning a master's degree in elementary and special education to influence education policy and create inclusive learning environments.

Adithri Pingali

Hometown: Jeanette, Pennsylvania

Major: Neuroscience

Pingali is a published poet with an intense curiosity for the human mind. Having served as an EMT and conducted research on treatments for ALS, she is passionate about applying her background in cognitive neuroscience to medical advancement. At Pitt, she aspires to continue her research journey on the pre-med track while pursuing her diverse interests in music and writing.

Alexia Purkanto

Hometown: York, Pennsylvania

Major: Finance

Purkanto is an entrepreneur and sustainability advocate focused on community-based environmental impact, having established a local composting co-op. Her academic aspirations at Pitt involve combining finance and entrepreneurship to direct capital toward global innovations that foster both economic opportunity and social good.

Greyson Roderick

Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island

Major: Pre-medicine

Roderick is motivated by a belief that medicine is a vocation defined by compassion and inquiry. He has demonstrated leadership by founding a peer tutoring organization and a table tennis club, alongside excelling in vocal performance and martial arts. At Pitt, Roderick aspires to double major in neuroscience and philosophy to develop a holistic understanding of the mind, body and soul.

Anya Roy

Hometown: Pittsburgh

Major: Mathematics

Roy is passionate about discovering the mysteries within mathematics and philosophy. Her unique drive is evidenced by three summers of bioinformatics research at Pitt and over a decade of dedication to classical piano and dance. At Pitt, she aspires to build a stimulating community of peers while conducting research that embraces the unknown.

Kyle Sewake

Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii

Major: Molecular biology

Sewake is passionate about the biochemical changes that govern our sense of reality and the historical stories that built our modern nation. At Pitt, he hopes to conduct research on neurodegenerative conditions with a minor in U.S. history.

Jacob Warner

Hometown: Foley, Alabama

Major: Electrical engineer

Warner is driven by a desire to understand the fundamental patterns and concepts that govern life. In high school, he demonstrated excellence in both academics and athletics, earning recognition as a premier diplomat in Model U.N. and a regional scholar-athlete in swimming. His goals include strengthening the power grid and developing affordable clean energy production methods through electrical engineering.