Seven University of California (UC) faculty and alumni have been named among the 22 recipients of the 2025 MacArthur Foundation fellowships, also known as “genius” grants. The awards recognize individuals whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity and has the potential to make a significant impact in their respective fields.
The UC honorees include Teresa Puthussery, a neurobiologist and optometrist at UC Berkeley; Kareem El-Badry, an astrophysicist and UC Berkeley alumnus; William Tarpeh, a chemical engineer and UC Berkeley alumnus; Garrett Bradley, an artist and filmmaker and UCLA alumna; Gala Porras-Kim, an interdisciplinary artist and two-time UCLA alumna; Toby Kiers, an evolutionary biologist and UC Davis alumna; and Tuan Andrew Nguyen, a multidisciplinary artist and UC Irvine alumnus.
Since the MacArthur Fellowship program began in 1981, more than 100 UC alumni and faculty have received the honor. Each fellow receives an $800,000 grant with no restrictions on its use. According to the MacArthur Foundation, since 2020, nearly one in four recipients have been affiliated with UC.
Kristen Mack, vice president of communications at the MacArthur Foundation, said, “The 2025 MacArthur Fellows expand the boundaries of knowledge, artistry, and human understanding. They focus our attention on microbial worlds and distant stars, community vitality and timeless traditions, sacred and improvisational music, and shared histories of our time on Earth. With virtuosity, persistence, and courage, they chart new paths toward collaborative, creative, and flourishing futures.”
Teresa Puthussery is recognized for her research into how the retina’s neural circuits encode visual information. She said of her award, “It wasn’t until they started reading out a description of my work that I was convinced that they had called the right person. It’s certainly just really unexpected, and so humbling and gratifying.” Puthussery’s work at UC Berkeley aims to uncover how neurodegenerative diseases affect vision and to help those with vision loss.
Kareem El-Badry’s research focuses on the formation and evolution of stellar and galactic systems, particularly binary star systems and black holes. His work has led to advances in understanding dark matter, galaxy structure, and cosmic evolution. El-Badry said, “I appreciate that both awards [Sloan and MacArthur] come with minimal restrictions, giving me the opportunity to explore new or potentially risky projects that would be harder to get funded through a federal grant. At all stages in a research career, I think it’s important to look for opportunities to branch out and try something new.”
William Tarpeh, now at Stanford University, is developing methods to recover valuable chemical resources from wastewater. His research includes converting nitrogen in urine waste streams into ammonia-based products. Tarpeh said, “I am honored to be included in the MacArthur community of leaders committed to understanding and improving our world. This award is a testament to my community — the students and postdocs who took a chance on a new lab with a unique mission, my mentors who sharpened my skills, my colleagues who inspire me with creativity and dedication, and my family and friends for their endless support. I am excited to continue the work of redefining wastewater and creating circular, sustainable methods for improving quality of life while protecting the environment for generations to come.”
Garrett Bradley’s filmmaking combines documentary, narrative, and experimental forms to explore themes of justice, memory, and cultural visibility. She emphasizes collaboration in her process, stating, “I’m not just entering somebody’s life, and I don’t see them as subjects. I get to know people, and I let them get to know me.”
Gala Porras-Kim creates installations that explore the stories told by cultural artifacts. She said, “To me, it’s always been more interesting to look at the framing of historical material than the objects themselves.” Her work has been recognized for examining how objects are separated from their original contexts and for questioning their preservation and interpretation.
Toby Kiers studies symbiotic relationships among plants, fungi, and microbes. Her research has highlighted the active role of microbes in ecosystems and drawn parallels between microbial interactions and human supply chains. Kiers has received recognition from outlets such as Time100 Next Emerging Leaders and Smithsonian Magazine.
Tuan Andrew Nguyen’s art focuses on histories of war, displacement, resistance, and resilience. His projects combine archival materials, oral histories, and poetic imagery to address intergenerational trauma. Kevin Appel, chair of the UC Irvine Department of Art, said, “Tuan’s work embodies the spirit of critical imagination that defines our department, weaving together art history and activism into profoundly moving narratives. His commitment to storytelling as a form of repair and resistance has inspired so many of our students and colleagues. This recognition is deeply deserved.”
Nguyen is also known for co-founding Sàn Art in Ho Chi Minh City and The Propeller Group art collective. His work has been exhibited internationally.
The seven UC-affiliated fellows join a distinguished group recognized for their contributions across scientific research, art, engineering, and social impact.
