Students Named to Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ 2026
Northwestern students and alumni — including nine with ties to the McCormick School of Engineering — have earned spots on the national 2026 Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ list, which recognizes leaders across technology, science, venture capital, and entrepreneurship.
The annual list celebrates young innovators making significant impact in their fields, spotlighting 30 standout individuals in various industry categories.
“These students embody McCormick’s commitment to solving real problems through rigorous thinking and bold innovation,” said Dean Christopher Schuh. “Their recognition on the national stage reflects both their individual talent and the collaborative ecosystem that supports their work at Northwestern.”
The students and alumni include:
Ana Cornell (former McCormick student)
Biomedical Engineering; student at the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Cornell founded Acorn Genetics after confronting the high personal cost of genetic testing. Her company is building a handheld device capable of delivering DNA test results in under an hour, aiming to make genetic analysis faster, more affordable, and privacy-preserving. Acorn Genetics has secured commitments from more than 100 labs and is valued at $18 million.
Jonathan Huang (PhD ’25, MD ’27)
Biomedical Engineering
Huang developed AI tools designed to help radiologists read medical images more efficiently. His technology assists clinicians in reviewing X-rays and CT scans significantly faster without compromising diagnostic accuracy and is already being used across Northwestern Medicine.
Lauren Huttner (BA ’24)
Journalism and History; alumna of the Farley Center
Huttner founded Pebble, a company that builds creator-driven marketing programs for consumer apps. Pebble recruits and trains creators who produce custom content for brands, helping clients achieve millions of downloads and views. The company is projected to surpass $1 million in revenue this year.
Claire Liu (PhD ’23)
Biomedical Engineering
Liu, a researcher working at the interface of materials science and medicine, designs soft, skin-mounted devices that give clinicians new ways to monitor inflammation and other physiological signals. Her innovations range from microneedle patches to wireless biosensors, and her publications span leading journals including Nature Medicine and Science. She conducted her doctoral work under John Rogers, Louis Simpson and Kimberly Querrey Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurological Surgery.
Yuan Liu (PhD ’24)
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Liu is advancing the stability of perovskite-based solar cells, a promising alternative to silicon photovoltaics. Since earning his PhD from Northwestern, he has continued this research at the University of Chicago, where he focuses on improving both the durability and performance of these cells with an eye toward enabling their commercialization in new optoelectronic devices.
Vishaal Mali (BS ’20)
Computer Engineering
Mali is the cofounder and CEO of Salient Motion, a company building next-generation electromechanical actuation systems used in both commercial and military aviation. Backed by leading investors including a16z and Boeing, the team is preparing to launch its first Federal Aviation Administration-certifiable system for wide-body aircraft later this year. As an undergraduate at McCormick, Mali also cofounded PedalCell, a startup that created energy-harvesting technology for bicycles, converting riders’ motion into reliable on-bike power for lights and devices.
Michael Pauleen (BS in Industrial Engineering; MSiA ’18) and Benjamin Somers (BA ’19, Statistics and Chinese)
Pauleen and Somers, an alumnus of the Farley Center, are the cofounders of Recess, an online homeschooling platform designed for students ages 8–14. The company emphasizes collaborative learning through project-based experiences such as designing a Mars base camp, building websites or games, or creating animated films to provide students with both practical skills and peer interaction. Launched in 2024, Recess has grown quickly, raising $5.5 million from major investors and now serving more than 500 students with a full-time team in San Francisco.
Casey Qadir (BA ’19)
Neuroscience; alumna of the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Qadir is the founder of Hubly Surgical, a company that creates safer neurosurgical drilling tools. Hubly, which spun out of a Farley Center NUvention: Medical class, produces a flagship drill that includes automated safety features that stop the device once bone is penetrated, helping prevent injury. Since receiving FDA clearance in 2023, the company has sold thousands of units nationwide and expanded its product line to support additional neurosurgical and spine procedures.
Three other Northwestern alumni outside McCormick were also recognized on this year’s list:
Rachel Orbach (BA ’21)
Economics and Journalism
Orbach is the director of finance and strategy at Bleecker Street Media, becoming the youngest person to hold that role at the film distribution company. She leads financial planning and project evaluation for releases that span independent films, documentaries, and upcoming event-cinema projects.
Brandon Snower (BA ’19)
Learning and Organizational Change
Snower is the founder of Le Alfré, a menswear brand known for combining classic tailoring with contemporary design. Launched from Snower’s New York City apartment, the label has grown rapidly, opened a Madison Avenue flagship store, and reached a valuation of $12 million.
Brian Zhan (BA ’18)
Computer Science
Zhan serves as a founding partner at Striker Venture Partners, an early-stage fund focused on pre-revenue startups. Previously, he worked in venture capital at CRV, where he played a role in investments in AI and robotics companies later valued in the billions or acquired by major technology firms.