Meet the 53rd class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows and the 22nd class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows.

Watson expands vision.

The Watson Foundation expands the vision and develops the potential of remarkable students.

Our Fellows

We encourage students to create personal paths then support their journeys.

Saifeldeen Zihiri

Jeannette K. Watson Fellow 2019

Regina Joseph

Thomas J. Watson Fellow 1987

Wadzanai Motsi

Thomas J. Watson Fellow 2013

Drake LeBrun

Thomas J. Watson Fellow 2012

Oscar Baez

Thomas J. Watson Fellow 2008

Kamelia Kilawan

Jeannette K. Watson Fellow 2014

Reggie Thomas

Jeannette K. Watson Fellow 2007

MaryBeth Apriceno

Jeannette K. Watson Fellow 2012

Lincoln Ajoku

Jeannette K. Watson Fellow 2003

Watson News

headshot of Dr Montgomery in a shirt and tie

November 8, 2021

Robert Montgomery, 1982 Watson Fellow, performed the first investigational transplant of a genetically engineered, nonhuman kidney to a human body

A medical milestone, xenotransplants, which could eventually include hearts, lungs and livers — would offer a lifeline to the more than 100,000 Americans currently on transplant waiting lists, including the 90,240 who need a kidney. On his Watson year, Robert studied health care systems in Eswatini, Madagascar, Sudan, Kenya, and Ghana.

Read more Link out

Headshot of Dr. Yock - man with glasses and a button down shirt in front of a bush

October 6, 2021

Co-Founded by 1973 Watson Fellow Dr. Paul Yock, Stanford Biodesign celebrates 20 years of innovation

Dr. Yock is the Martha Meier Weiland Professor in the Stanford School of Medicine and Professor of Bioengineering. Since 2001, Stanford Biodesign has trained 182 innovation fellows, 2,225 Stanford students and 74 Stanford faculty members. Fifty-two companies have been founded based on technologies invented at Stanford Biodesign, and those technologies — such as a faster, more accurate way to diagnose heart arrythmias and and a wound irrigation system that prevents surgical site infections — have helped more than 4 million patients.

Read more Link out

Karen Tei Yamashita headshot

September 14, 2021

Karen Tei Yamashita, 1974 Watson Fellow, awarded the 2021 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation

Yamashita is the author of eight books and numerous plays and is being honored for her expansive, innovative and genre-defying works. As the 34th recipient of the foundation’s lifetime achievement award, she joins the ranks of Toni Morrison, Joan Didion, E.L. Doctorow and Norman Mailer. Her latest book, Sansei and Sensibility, is a collection of short stories about growing up in Japanese America.

Read more Link out

More Updates

Our Programs

We work with over 100 partners to provide two, one-of-a-kind programs.

Thomas J. Watson Fellowship

A year of independent, purposeful exploration.

Learn More

Jeannette K. Watson Fellowship

Internships, mentorship, community, and growth.

Learn More