Christopher Ré (Cornell BA 2001, computer science and mathematics) was named one of the 2015 MacArthur "genius grant" fellows for "democratizing big data analytics through open source data-processing products that have the power of machine learning algorithms but can be integrated into existing and applied database systems." The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. See more at:
https://www.macfound.org/programs/fellows/strategy/#sthash.ptehz5fX.dpuf
And Jia Wang (Cornell PhD 2001 with Robbert van Renesse) was named a IEEE Fellow for "contributions to measurement and management of large operational networks". The IEEE Grade of Fellow is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors upon a person with an outstanding record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. The total number selected in any one year cannot exceed one-tenth of one percent of the total voting membership. IEEE Fellow is the highest grade of membership.