Five UL Research Institutes Colleagues Named 2026 AI NEXTGEN America Futurist Award Recipients

Researchers and program leaders across UL Research Institutes were honored in Baltimore on Oct. 10 for advancing innovation, education and the future of work

EVANSTON, Ill., Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Five colleagues from UL Research Institutes received 2026 AI NEXTGEN America Futurist Awards, recognizing their accomplishments, leadership, and impact in shaping the future of work, innovation, and emerging technologies. The recipients were honored at the Futurist Awards Ceremony on Oct. 10, 2026, during the AI NEXTGEN America Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

The honorees span four of the organization's institutes and four award categories, displaying the breadth of UL Research Institutes' safety science mission — from battery and energy systems to chemical exposure and healthcare technology to research education.

"These five colleagues reflect the best of UL Research Institutes — curious, rigorous, and committed to work that helps make people safer," said Chris Cramer, Ph.D., executive vice president and chief research officer at UL Research Institutes. "Across materials discovery, electrochemical safety, chemical insights, and research education, these individuals demonstrate how emerging technologies can create meaningful impact when applied responsibly."

The AI NEXTGEN America Conference & Futurist Awards are presented by Career Communications Group, Inc., and powered by STEM City USA. The program recognizes leaders, innovators, educators, and organizations translating technological advancement into meaningful outcomes for people, industries, and the workforce.

The five UL Research Institutes award recipients are:

• Justin Finesilver, Institute for Research Experiences & Education: Technology Rising Star Award
• Asra Hassan, Ph.D., Materials Discovery Research Institute: Technology Rising Star Award
• Becki Rowan-White, Institute for Research Experiences & Education: Educator of the Future Award
• Migo Szeman Ng, Ph.D., Electrochemical Safety Research Institute: Energy Pioneer Award
• Qian Zhang, Ph.D., Chemical Insights Research Institute: Healthcare Technology Leader Award

About UL Research Institutes
UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing public safety through safety science. Building on the UL legacy of working for a safer world since 1894, UL Research Institutes conducts rigorous, independent research, drawing on expertise across fire safety, electrochemical safety, chemical insights, materials discovery, digital safety, and research experiences and education, to prevent harm and save lives. UL Research Institutes publishes its findings openly and works to guide standards bodies, policymakers, and communities in translating scientific insight into decisions, behaviors, standards, and systems that protect infrastructure and people.

SOURCE UL Research Institutes