Dr. Adrián de la Fuente Ballesteros honoured as a 2026 CAS Future Leader
2026-05-17 The chemist has been selected as one of around 35 emerging talents worldwide for the prestigious “Future Leaders” programme run by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). The programme is part of the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the largest professional societies for chemistry in the world.
Dr. Adrián de la Fuente Ballesteros is thus part of a small group of internationally selected early-career researchers recognised for their exceptional potential in chemistry. The programme is regarded as one of the most important initiatives for supporting young talent in chemical research. In addition to academic excellence, leadership qualities and the ability to actively shape the future of chemistry are also key criteria. The award is considered highly competitive. Dr. de la Fuente Ballesteros is the only representative from a German institution in this year’s cohort.
The scientist is part of the research group led by Prof. Dr. Dr. Vania Zuin Zeidler, Professor of Sustainable Chemistry of Renewable Organic Resources. His work focuses on analytical chemistry – in particular the development of sustainable and green methods for analysing substances in food and environmental samples. During his PhD studies in Spain, he investigated bee products such as honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly for pesticide residues, which can affect food safety. “My aim was to develop fast, simple and, at the same time, reliable methods for detecting contaminants,” explains the researcher.
At Leuphana, he is a postdoctoral researcher working on the sustainable use of food and unavoidable food waste, such as extracting valuable bioactive compounds and developing greener and more sustainable analytical methods.
The award includes an expense-paid trip in August to CAS Headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, for a training program, as well as an invitation to attend the ACS Fall Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The awardee will not only present their research but also take part in sessions on science communication and networking. In addition, the program provides a $1,000 USD award, a multi-year membership, and targeted international visibility.