School of Natural Sciences

An international collaboration co-led by Andrew Mummery, Martin A. and Helen Chooljian Member (2025–30) in the School of Natural Sciences, has uncovered a universal rule governing one of the most powerful astronomical events in the universe. The scholars have shown that black holes—whether they are “stellar-mass” objects ten times the mass of our sun or supermassive giants millions of times heavier—fire powerful jets of material at the same juncture in their feeding cycles.

An international collaboration co-led by Andrew Mummery, Martin A. and Helen Chooljian Member (2025–30) in the School of Natural Sciences, has uncovered a universal rule governing one of the most powerful astronomical events in the universe. The team has shown that black holes—whether they are “stellar-mass” objects ten times the mass of our sun or supermassive giants millions of times heavier—fire powerful jets of material at the same juncture in their feeding cycles.

While scientists have demonstrated how the holographic principle works in hypothetical, highly curved spaces, such as Anti-de Sitter space—an approach pioneered by Juan Maldacena, Carl P. Feinberg Professor in the School of Natural Sciences—they are still trying to determine if equivalent field theories can replicate these effects in so-called "flat space." This year’s Prospects in Theoretical Physics (PiTP) program probed this fascinating topic.

All three recipients of the 2026 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) Medal in Mathematics have links to the Institute’s School of Mathematics: Claire Voisin, Distinguished Visiting Professor (2014–15); frequent IAS scholar Horng-Tzer Yau; and Shou-Wu Zhang, Member (1991–92). Xiao-Gang Wen, Member (1990–91) and IBM Einstein Fellow (2022–23) in the School of Natural Sciences, was also recognized with a Physics Medal.

Mor Rozner, Kovner Member (2024–27) in the School of Natural Sciences, is one of three "promising early-career astronomers" to have been awarded a 2026 Gruber Fellowship. The fellowship will support her ongoing exploration of the dynamics of astrophysical environments that are rich in gas, including protoplanetary disks, AGN disks, and gas-rich clusters.

After more than 50 years of searching, astrophysicists at Northwestern University, including Elena Murchikova, Member (2018–22) and frequent Visitor in the School of Natural Sciences, have finally discovered evidence of a powerful wind blowing from the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*).

Ten former IAS scholars—and one who will join the Institute in the fall—have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The Schools of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Science are represented in the 2026 cohort. Announced each spring, NAS membership represents a unique honor in recognition of original research.

Among the 252 new members elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences this spring are thirteen scholars with connections to IAS. All four Schools are represented in this year’s cohort.

It is anticipated that the Eiffel Tower will be engraved this year with the names of 72 women scientists—including three former School of Mathematics scholars. Cécile DeWitt-Morette, Member (1948–50); her friend and coauthor Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat, Member (1951–52, 1955); and Jacqueline Ferrand, Member (1956) are set to be recognized for their landmark work.

Thirteen IAS scholars have been named among the 2026 Breakthrough Prize Foundation laureates, recognizing research that significantly drives human knowledge. The honorees were described as having "constructed theories of the fundamental forces of nature and probed them to mind-blowing precision," as well as revealing "deep truths about the mathematical behavior of waves."