Three graduate students from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry have been recognized as members of the 2026 student cohort of ChatGPT Futures.
Thomas Pruyn, Amro Aswad and Sartaaj Khan — members of Professor Mohamad Moosavi’s research group — were selected for their innovative work on MOF-ChemUnity, a project focused on materials with promise for carbon capture. Their research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) in December 2025.
The ChatGPT Futures initiative recognizes students and teams using AI to advance research, creativity and innovation. According to OpenAI’s announcement, “One of the clearest ways to see where AI is going is to ask the next generation how they are using it today.”
The program also highlights the significance of the graduating Class of 2026, noting that it is “the first graduating class to have ChatGPT on hand for their entire university experience.” OpenAI describes this generation as one that embraced AI tools early and is using them “not just to study, but to build, research, create, and expand what is possible to them.”
ChatGPT Futures celebrates 26 students and teams from around the world whose work demonstrates the possibilities created when emerging researchers and innovators have access to advanced AI tools. Each selected individual or team in the inaugural cohort receives a $10,000 grant and access to OpenAI’s latest technologies to help further develop their ideas and research.
As part of the recognition, Thomas, Amro and Sartaaj will travel to OpenAI headquarters in San Francisco this June and receive research API credits to support their continued work.
“This is wonderful for our student community, and I hope it inspires all our students to be ambitious and develop cutting-edge research!” said Moosavi.
The department congratulates Pruyn, Aswad and Khan on this outstanding achievement and recognition of their research excellence.
To read the full ChatGPT Futures announcement featuring the ChemE team, click here.