Lakshmi Krishnan Selected as 2026-2027 Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellow

Lakshmi Krishnan, the Jeffrey S. and Margaret Mais Padnos Fellow, is a physician and literary scholar whose work spans the history of medicine, medical humanities, and the clinic. She will write a book uncovering how modern medical diagnosis was forged as much through the literary imagination—particularly detective fiction—as through science.

A yearlong Radcliffe fellowship provides the rare opportunity to pursue ambitious projects in the unique environment of the Institute within the larger community of Harvard University. Each fellowship class is drawn from some of the most thoughtful and exciting contemporary scholars in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts—along with writers, journalists, playwrights, and other distinguished professionals.

This year’s Radcliffe fellows will be part of a unique interdisciplinary and creative community that will step away from routines to tackle projects that they have long wished to move forward. Throughout the academic year, fellows convene regularly to share their work in progress with the community and public. With access to Harvard’s unparalleled resources, Radcliffe fellows develop new tools and methods, challenge artistic and scholarly conventions, and illuminate the past, present, and future. Radcliffe Fellowship alumni are quick to say it was the best year of their career.

The full list of 2026-2027 fellows can be found here.