When the MacArthur Foundation begins making its calls, there typically isn’t a “heads-up” for the person on the other end of the line. “Honestly, my immediate reaction was disbelief,” said Keivan Stassun, Stevenson Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt. “I remember saying several times into the phone, ‘Really?!’ This is just not the sort of thing I ever imagined for myself.”
Stassun—who is also a founding co-director the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program, the director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and holds a joint appointment with Computer Science in the School of Engineering—was among the 2024 MacArthur fellows announced on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The fellowship, which is awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, aims to identify extraordinarily creative individuals with a track record of excellence in a field of scholarship or area of practice. Recipients also demonstrate the ability to affect society in significant and beneficial ways through their pioneering work or the rigor of their contributions, according to the foundation.
“Expanding the frontiers of knowledge, solving important problems and improving lives are what drive innovation and discovery at Vanderbilt,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “Keivan’s work combines brilliant thinking, exemplary scholarship and unbounded compassion, and the results speak for themselves. We could not be more proud of his contributions or more thrilled for him as he receives this tremendous honor.”
There are three criteria for selection: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishments, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work. Nominated anonymously by leaders in their respective fields and recommended by an independent selection committee, recipients learn of their selection only when they receive a call from the foundation.
“Keivan’s ability to bridge disciplines and create opportunities through research is truly transformative. His groundbreaking work in astrophysics and leadership at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation have made a profound impact,” Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver said. “His recognition as a MacArthur fellow is a well-deserved tribute to his visionary contributions to science and education.”
Expanding the boundaries of STEM education
After earning his Ph.D. in astronomy, Stassun knew he wanted to be on the front line of astrophysics research. His work, which concerns star evolution and exoplanet discovery, has been widely published in various journals, including The Astronomical Journal and The Astrophysical Journal. He chose to become a professor at Vanderbilt because he wanted to inspire the next generation of discoverers.
“At Vanderbilt, I have a platform from which to open doors for students from underprivileged backgrounds like mine and who just need someone to believe in them, mentor them and guide them,” Stassun said. “I love that being a professor is equal parts advancing discovery and developing human talent.”
“I have known Keivan since he was hired in 2003 and have always admired his commitment to building programs that enable the success of other people,” said Timothy P. McNamara, Ginny and Conner Searcy Dean of the College of Arts and Science. “Keivan exemplifies the very best of Vanderbilt, through groundbreaking research, dedicated teaching and compassionate mentoring. I cannot imagine a more deserving recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.”
The Fisk-Vanderbilt Master’s-to-Ph.D. Bridge Program Stassun founded aims to increase diversity among students receiving advanced degrees in STEM fields. The program serves as a stepping stone for promising students who may not have the opportunity to gain the experiences or skills needed to go directly into a Ph.D. program. Students pursue a master’s degree at Fisk University, a historically Black university. They can take courses at Fisk and at Vanderbilt, and they have mentorship and research opportunities tailored to their individual needs and interests. Those who complete the master’s degree are encouraged to apply to the Vanderbilt Ph.D. program or may apply to another school of their choice. For universities across the country, the program is a model for advancing science by expanding access to it.
His work as the director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation comes from a highly personal place. Stassun, who has a son with autism, wanted to do something to effect change for the 80 percent of autistic adults who are either unemployed or grossly underemployed relative to their potential. The center works to encourage collaboration with experts in education, disability, business and engineering to help neurodiverse individuals find and maintain meaningful employment.
In the five years since its ribbon cutting, the center has made big strides, including operating the College Autism Network, a collection of more than 100 colleges and universities that offer support programs for autistic and other neurodiverse students; running a graduate certificate program in Neurodiversity Inspired Science & Engineering, which has awarded more Ph.D.’s to autistic scientists and engineers than any other program; supporting partnering labs in the development and commercialization of technologies to support independence and employment for autistic adults; working with leaders in the business school to develop training materials for current and future business leaders around neuro-inclusion in the workplace; and creating employment opportunities within highly supportive workspaces.
Looking to the future
One of 22 fellows in the 2024 class, Stassun will receive an $800,000 award. The “no-strings-attached” fellowship supports the people behind the award, not their projects. Each award is paid out in quarterly installments over five years. For Stassun, that funding means a chance to help those he cares deeply about—professionally and personally.
“I hope to be able to use some of the funds to support the work of the Frist Center. There are so many good ideas, and more funding support is always needed to pursue them all,” Stassun said. “But I’m also earmarking some of the funds so that I can take care of my mom. Ask anyone in the ‘sandwich generation,’ and you’ll hear how stressful and expensive it is to care for an aging parent on top of everything else. To know that I’ll be able to take care of her feels like a kind of relief that offers freedom to continue pursuing my life’s work without that particular worry.”
Stassun joins three other MacArthur fellowship recipients who are currently faculty members at Vanderbilt: Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Art María Magdalena Campos-Pons (2023), Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology Jad Abumrad (2011) and Stevenson Professor of Biological Sciences Ken Catania (2006).
“It was a special feeling when they shared with me the citation that they had written, explaining their reasons for awarding the fellowship to me. To be told that you are seen the way that you would wish to be seen is quite something,” Stassun said.
