Rising Stars in Science: Mass General Brigham’s 2026 STAT Wunderkinds
Each year, STAT recognizes a select group of early-career scientists whose research is helping shape the future of medicine and biomedical science. Hundreds of nominations are submitted on behalf of postdoctoral fellows, medical residents, interns, medical fellows, and industry scientists, and this year, 28 researchers were named 2026 STAT Wunderkinds – including five who are at Mass General Brigham.
The 2026 STAT Wunderkinds are advancing discoveries across a wide range of fields, tackling complex challenges and developing innovative approaches that could improve health and transform patient care.
We are proud to celebrate the five Mass General Brigham physician-scientists recognized among this year's STAT Wunderkinds. Their achievements reflect the curiosity, dedication, and scientific excellence driving the next generation of discovery and innovation.
Join us in celebrating their research and the impact they are making on the future of health care and biomedical research.
The summaries below are adapted from the original list published by STAT.
Elliot Akama-Garren, MD, PhD
Resident physician, internal medicine
Mass General Brigham
As an undergraduate student, Elliot Akama-Garren became fascinated by immune cell clusters known as tertiary lymphoid structures and the surprising role B cells play within them. That curiosity has driven his career in cancer immunology, leading to discoveries about how B and T cells coordinate immune responses. He plans to continue his research and apply his findings to learn new insights about cancer immunotherapy.
Rahul Gupta, MD, PhD
Resident physician, internal medicine
Mass General Brigham
Rahul Gupta followed an unconventional path from chemical engineering to genetics and mitochondrial biology, driven by a fascination with the cellular machinery that influences aging and disease. Today, the second-year resident spends his time in two labs leading mitochondrial research and large-scale genetic studies to better understand how mitochondrial DNA shapes human health.
Neil Carleton, MD, PhD
Resident physician, internal medicine
Mass General Brigham
Inspired by a high school teacher who sparked his passion for science and medicine, Neil Carleton has focused his research on understanding breast cancer in older women. His work, which includes 20 research publications, has uncovered how aging and inflammation can fuel estrogen-sensitive tumors, offering insights that could help guide future treatments and prevention strategies.
Vishal Patel, MD
Resident physician, general surgery
Mass General Brigham
Vishal Patel harnesses his passion for creative problem-solving to lead studies of major public health questions through real-world "natural experiments,” often inspired by everyday observations. His research has generated novel insights into topics ranging from a well-publicized study that found traffic safety decreased on days new music albums were released, to novel insights on Alzheimer's disease risk in different professions, to youth mental health.
Leah Pierson, MD
Resident physician, internal medicine
Mass General Brigham
Driven by a desire to bring greater rigor and clarity to bioethical debates, Leah Pierson studies how society evaluates emerging technologies and complex policy questions. Through her research and public engagement, she is helping advance a more evidence-based approach to bioethics that balances innovation with thoughtful safeguards.
Chirag Vasavda, MD, PhD
Resident physician, dermatology
Mass General Brigham
Chirag Vasavda’s work in dermatology influences his study of the connection between the nervous and immune systems, and how humans sense the world around them through their skin. His research aims to uncover new ways to treat chronic itch and pain, helping patients regain comfort and quality of life.