News

• Win Cowger Named as First Recipient of 2026 Pew-Gerstner Fellowship in Ocean Plastic Research

  Environment News

  March 11, 2026

  Dr. Win Cowger, executive director of the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, was selected by The Pew Charitable Trusts as the first recipient of the 2026 Pew-Gerstner Fellowship in Ocean Plastics Research, a new fellowship established by the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation and Gerstner Philanthropies. As one of seven international researchers awarded a Pew Marine Fellowship this year, Cowger will receive $150,000 over three years to enhance the capabilities of Open Specy, an open-source tool he developed to help researchers worldwide classify and analyze different types of plastic pollution. Cowger will build a robust reference library and develop new algorithms to improve the identification of nanoplastics, small microplastics, and leachates in the marine environment. He will also lead training workshops to help others use these tools for risk assessments, studies to identify pollutant sources, and interventions to address plastic pollution. “Spectroscopy is the backbone of microplastic analysis,” Cowger said. “We are developing new spectroscopy techniques to look at particles smaller than we have ever been able to analyze before.” The 2026 fellows join a distinguished community of more than 200 Pew marine fellow alumni dedicated to advancing ocean science and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources. The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation supports midcareer scientists and other experts selected by an international panel of leaders in marine science and conservation. Alumni form an active community that promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing worldwide.

  Learn more about Cowger and this research effort at Pew.org
  

• Stanley S. Litow Shares His Views on Today’s Education Landscape

  Foundation News

  February 11, 2026

  We are pleased to share a recent Q&A with Stanley S. Litow, featured by Finn Partners, highlighting lessons from decades of leadership in workforce development and education reform. In the interview, Stan reflects on the importance of strong public-private partnerships and sustained cross-sector collaboration to expand opportunity. He also honors the leadership of our founder, Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. whose commitment to practical, results-oriented solutions in education continues to guide our work.

  Read the Full Conversation at finnpartner.com