Two UC San Diego Scientists Awarded Prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships

Xiaolong Wang

Assistant Professor, Jacobs School of Engineering
Sloan Research Fellowship Awarded in Computer Science

Xiaolong Wang specializes in computer vision, machine learning and robotics, with a goal of developing robots with human-like intelligence and physical abilities that allow them to seamlessly integrate into daily life—from assisting with household chores to working alongside people in factories.

To build robots with such sophisticated skills, Wang has pioneered advancements in two key areas: self-supervised learning and modeling long-range context. In self-supervised learning, Wang’s team trains robots to learn autonomously, enabling them to develop adaptable and efficient decision-making processes. To achieve long-range context, Wang’s team builds models that enable robots to reason and connect pieces of information over extended time periods.

These approaches have led to multiple breakthroughs in robotics. Wang’s team has built humanoid robots that mimic expressive human movements—such as dancing, waving and high-fiving—while maintaining balance on varied terrains. Beyond whole-body motion and control, Wang’s team has made remarkable progress in robotic dexterity. They have designed robots capable of sorting, packing and folding, as well as robotic hands that can handle delicate objects by touch alone, without relying on vision. Wang’s work paves the way for deploying robots in low-visibility conditions and environments that require fine motor skills, ranging from industrial assembly lines to hospitals, laboratories and disaster sites.

“It is a great honor to be named a Sloan Fellow and join an outstanding group of researchers across various fields,” said Wang. “Support from the Sloan Foundation will help us further push the boundaries of robotics to enhance daily life, make workplaces safer and contribute to the public good.”

The Sloan Foundation is a not-for-profit grantmaking institution dedicated to supporting research and education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics. To date, 58 Sloan Research Fellows have received a Nobel Prize, including John Hopfield, last year’s Nobel laureate in physics. Seventy-two have won the National Medal of Science, 17 have won the Fields Medal in mathematics, and 24 have won the John Bates Clark Medal in economics, including every winner since 2009. Visit the Fellows Database for a complete list of current and former Sloan Research Fellows.

Nominations for the 2026 Sloan Research Fellowships will open on July 15, 2026.

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