PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION STUDENTS
Wang Xingyi is an undergraduate student from the School of Humanities at Tsinghua University. Her work and research experience in international relations includes positions at the United Nations, Chinese and American think tanks, research institutions, and political risk advisory. Xingyi has worked as a Translation/Interpretation Assistant at the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in China and as a research analyst in the Middle East & North Africa Program at London Politica, where she produced conflict and risk analytical reports focused on the MENA region. She has also conducted fieldwork in Kosovo and Cyprus, focusing on peacebuilding and local reconciliation. Trained in English Literature and International Relations, Xingyi’s research spans conflict studies, peacebuilding, and trauma narratives around war, with particular interests in conflict resolution, arms control, and the weaponization of artificial intelligence.
Wang Zixin recently graduated with an MPA in International Development from Harvard Kennedy School, majoring in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. At Harvard, he served as co-chair of the HKS Greater China Society, leading the first “China Trek” bringing Harvard students to China and organizing the HKS China Conference for 2023 and 2024. Academically, Zixin focuses on international development, especially in development finance and industrial policy. He has worked as a coordination analyst at the UN Resident Coordinator Office in China and at the National Development Board of Rwanda. Prior to working at the UN, Zixin studied global affairs at Schwarzman College of Tsinghua University and economics and data science at New York University Shanghai. Zixin is originally from Chengdu, China, and enjoys science fiction, music, and traveling.
Yang Jiayi is an undergraduate student studying international politics at Tsinghua University.
Zhang Yuanshinan is an undergraduate student majoring in International Politics at the School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University. Her research interests include globalization, artificial intelligence, and women in armed conflict. Zhang has participated in various activities such as youth dialogues and social research under the Belt and Road Initiative and currently manages the “Student International Affairs Exchange Association,” gaining valuable cross-cultural communication experience. As a communications intern at UN Women, Zhang focuses on planning and promoting social media content, with a particular emphasis on youth women’s empowerment. She aspires to explore the intersection of international cooperation and women’s development, contributing to a more equal and inclusive global order.
Joslyn Fowler is a senior Chinese Studies major at American University. She is passionate about understanding how China-US relations affect global affairs and finding plausible solutions to issues delaying the two nations from developing a peaceful relationship. Joslyn has previously interned at the Department of State, where she researched and analyzed Chinese media about Toronto, using this information to understand the Chinese diaspora in that area. She is excited to collaborate with her peers in the DMV and China-based fellows this spring.
Owen Baum is a senior at George Washington University majoring in International Affairs. Originally from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, he recently returned from studying abroad in Taiwan, where he focused on conflict in East Asia and advanced his proficiency in Chinese. Outside of academics, Owen competes on his university’s club fencing team and continues studying German. He is eager to apply his international experience and language skills to foster cooperation between the United States and China.
Sofia Piro is a sophomore studying International Affairs at The George Washington University. She plans on minoring in geographic information systems and Chinese literature and language. Sofia was born in Wuhan, China, but was adopted in the early 2000s. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outside with her dog, going to the gym, trying new restaurants, and listening to music.
Yihang Lu is a first-year student at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. His academic focus centers on Carl Schmitt’s political theology and its applications to understanding contemporary global order, particularly in the context of China’s evolving role in international affairs. Through studying Sino-US relations and international development, Yihang examines how different political philosophies and governance models shape approaches to global challenges. He is particularly interested in how China’s international engagement both challenges and adapts to traditional Westphalian concepts of sovereignty and global governance. By analyzing these theoretical frameworks alongside modern diplomatic relations, Yihang aims to contribute to our understanding of changing global dynamics and ultimately work toward fostering sustainable development in the Global South.
PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENTS
Tao Zecheng is currently studying for a master’s degree at the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University. His research experience in public health includes working as a UN volunteer (research), policy research assistant at a Chinese think tank, and evaluator of South-South health cooperation projects. At the same time, Zecheng co-founded an artificial intelligence eye disease screening company and a collaborative first aid public welfare organization. Zecheng majors in public policy for sustainable development goals at school, and his research interest is health policy, particularly focusing on aging services, disease screening, collaborative system construction, and cutting-edge technology applications.
Zeng Diwen is a third-year English major at Shanghai International Studies University and a member of the International Organization Talent Experimental Class at the Honors College. Passionate about public health, she has participated in various United Nations public welfare projects and speeches. During her exchange at Maastricht University, she contributed to a health promotion project between two countries. Currently interning in the communication field, Zeng aims to bridge her practical experience with public health initiatives, helping to extend their impact and benefit more people. She is eager to explore and discuss new opportunities for Sino-American cooperation in public health and looks forward to contributing her insights as a representative of Generation Z in China.
Yang Sihan is a junior student majoring in Japanese and minoring in International Politics at Tsinghua University. She works at the Model United Nations Association at Tsinghua University, where she has participated in organizing several on-campus Model United Nations events. Yang has also interned at think tanks, NGOs, and foundations, focusing her research on Sino-U.S. relations. She looks forward to further developing into a young force that promotes the development of Sino-U.S. relations.
Lin Entong is an undergraduate student from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Tsinghua University. She has interned at the Institute for International and Area Studies, Tsinghua University. Entong is majoring in English and taking International Relations as her minor, with research interests in US-China relations, particularly focusing on immigration, the impact of artificial intelligence on elections, and US politics.
Grace Dorion is a sophomore double majoring in international relations and Chinese language & culture at the College of William & Mary. Her academic focus centers on global diplomacy and East Asian studies, aligning with her passion for cross-cultural communication and policy research. She has internship experience in both law and government and is currently a research assistant for the Tracking Underreported Financial Flows (TUFF) team at AidData. Her other campus involvements include Alpha Chi Omega sorority, where she serves as the alumnae chair and Amnesty International. Grace was recently named a 2025 Freeman Fellow in East Asia. She is a native English speaker, Chinese at the upper-intermediate level, and Japanese at the beginner level. A lover of language learning, Grace has studied abroad in both Beijing, China and Kyoto, Japan.
Sreeram Pillai is a senior at the College of William and Mary. He is currently majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Mathematics. As an undergraduate researcher, one of his main focuses has been analyzing gene regulation systems involved in certain types of rare but severe pediatric glioblastomas. With a background in both computational and wetlab research, as well as an avid interest in public health, Sreeram hopes to provide a scientific perspective to the public health section of the program. After graduating, he intends to pursue a medical degree to become a physician while also continuing his career as a researcher.
Benetta Wang is a sophomore at William & Mary majoring in Psychology and minoring in Public Health. She was born in Maryland, went to high school in Texas, and spent eight years in Chengdu, China. Benetta is passionate about mental health advocacy and healthcare access, and she loves engaging in community service and psychology research. In her free time, Benetta enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.
Maisie Wang is a sophomore at The College of William and Mary, majoring in neuroscience with a prospective minor in public health. While she has a strong interest in U.S.-China relations, Maisie is also actively involved in BranchOut and the Civic Leadership Program, where she works to address issues related to education and healthcare accessibility in Virginia, supported by a $1,000 fund from the Civic Leadership Program. Additionally, she is engaged in scientific research, focusing on the analysis of SUMOylation using budding yeast cells. Maisie grew up in China and spent most of her childhood in Beijing from ages five to ten.
EDUCATION STUDENTS
Zhang Yuhang is an undergraduate student majoring in International Politics at the School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University. Her research interests include globalization, artificial intelligence, and women in armed conflict. Zhang has participated in various activities such as youth dialogues and social research under the Belt and Road Initiative and currently manages the “Student International Affairs Exchange Association,” gaining valuable cross-cultural communication experience. As a communications intern at UN Women, Zhang focuses on planning and promoting social media content, with a particular emphasis on youth women’s empowerment. She aspires to explore the intersection of international cooperation and women’s development, contributing to a more equal and inclusive global order.
Han Yue obtained a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature in 2023. After graduation, she worked as a volunteer teacher in Yunnan province for a year. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in education at the Institute of Education of Tsinghua University. She participates in the MAIC (Massive AI-empowered courses) program, which is co-organized by the Institute of Education of Tsinghua University and the Department of Computer Science and Technology of Tsinghua University.
Ye Zichen is an undergraduate student studying Arabic at Beijing Foreign Studies University. She serves as the director of the CISS Youth Activities Planning Department and has participated in organizing CISS Youth brand activities and the Center’s research project on Generation Z international communication. In addition to English and Arabic, Ye has a preliminary grasp of South African isiZulu and has volunteered in many foreign affairs activities for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In November last year, she participated in the Hong Kong US-China Forum.
Xie Ruixi is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at the Rixin College of Tsinghua University. Her social work experience in the field of education includes serving as a student representative for the UNICEF Child-Friendly City Construction Summit and a volunteer for the “Shuji Project” voluntary teaching program. She majored in history and minored in law, with a particular focus on historical education and the rights of disadvantaged groups.Sino-U.S. exchanges.
Kaylhan Garcia is a senior at American University majoring in Data Science for Justice, Law, and Criminology. A proud first-generation Mexican-American from Galveston, Texas, and the daughter of hardworking immigrant parents, she is the Founder and CEO of Dreamers Thrive, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the Latino community through educational advancement. Kaylhan is an experienced public speaker, advocate for educational equity, and a globalized individual with living experiences abroad, including in the UK, South Africa, and China. She is also a travel and lifestyle content creator on TikTok, where she inspires Latinos to pursue international education, recently highlighting her journey studying Chinese in Beijing. Recognized for her leadership with competitive scholarships and grants, including the Taco Bell Scholarship and the Deja Tu Huella Fund, Kaylhan aspires to be a Data Analyst, leveraging her global experiences to foster cross-cultural understanding and drive meaningful change.
Sophie Rosen is a junior at the College of William & Mary, pursuing a B.S. in Data Science and a B.A. in Chinese Studies.
Yuehan (Angie) Zhao is a sophomore at Tsinghua University, pursuing her degree in public administration. She has taken part in various student projects that focus on international collaborations and educational reforms.
Marcus Smith recently graduated from George Mason University in December of 2024 with a major in religious studies and a minor in Chinese language. He is interested in Chinese and broader East Asian Buddhism, especially the Tiantai, Huayan, and Pure Land traditions. Marcus also wants to learn ways to transform society for the better and is deeply interested in China’s process of achieving economic self-sufficiency and independence as well as rapid modernization during the 20th century, as well as its vision for the coming decades and centuries. In his free time, Marcus enjoys reading about philosophy, both Eastern and Western, going on hikes, and discussing movies and TV series with his friends.
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS
Yang Shuojia is a doctoral candidate in Ocean Engineering at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School. She is passionate about English debate and has won the title of “Best Debater” in the National English Debate Competition for College Students. She has also served as a judge for the FLTRP CUP National English Competition for schools for consecutive years. Her main research focuses on the coupled analysis of floating offshore wind turbines, with an emphasis on the development and application of offshore wind power. Shuojia is committed to promoting innovation and sustainable development in renewable energy technologies.
Wang Xiaoke is a junior at the Institute of World Literatures and Cultures (IWLC) at Tsinghua University. She completed a four-month visiting program at Harvard University. Passionate about sustainability, climate change, and social equity, Xiaoke has contributed to projects such as TEDxTHU 2023, TEDx Beitaiping Road, and the 1st Green AI Summit. At Harvard, she co-founded the Harvard Undergraduate Green AI Club, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration on sustainable technology. Xiaoke also helped organize the 2023 ESG Global Leaders Conference and the Harvard College China Forum, fostering dialogue among youth from diverse cultural backgrounds. She is committed to advancing global discussions on sustainability.
Chen Siying is a graduate student at the British Studies Center of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). She majors in International Politics, focusing on Indo-Pacific strategy and the Anglo-American special relationship. Previously, Siying was a research assistant and product manager at BFSU’s think tank Global Knowledge Network, where she authored policy reports and global trend analyses. She has also served as a research assistant at the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding, PKU, and as a part-time research fellow at the School of Global and Area Studies, Renmin University of China.
Zhang Gongle is an English major student at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua University. He has demonstrated a strong passion for international exchange since starting his studies. Zhang has been actively involved in various related activities and initiatives. Currently, he works in the Lecture Department of SAISS, where he contributes to the planning and organization of diverse lectures. Additionally, Zhang serves as an intern at CISS, assisting with daily operations and organizing events such as the 2024 US-China People’s Dialogue and the Tsinghua-Columbia University Exchange Program. Zhang will lead a team as captain on a visit to the United States during the upcoming winter break. There, they will engage with universities, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations to explore topics related to youth exchanges between China and the U.S. Through these efforts, Zhang aims to contribute a vision of youth to global understanding and collaboration.
Mish Quan is a junior undergraduate student at George Washington University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Economics. Their work revolves around U.S.-China affairs and Asian American advocacy.
Nhu Lam (Selina) is a senior at George Washington University, where she studies International Affairs and Data Science with a focus on Economics. Her experiences at the US-ASEAN Business Council and the Institute for Security and Conflict Studies have allowed her to delve into Southeast Asian policy and U.S.-China relations. Passionate about the Asia-Pacific region, her research explores economic development and the complex dynamics shaping regional growth.
Massimo Pavan started learning Chinese as a child through his friend’s mother and continued studying it in high school. He began studying chemistry at university and spent a year abroad in Hong Kong, where he traveled extensively through mainland China to better understand the language and culture. Massimo hopes to find a way to incorporate Chinese language and culture into his career goals.
Aya Takegami is a senior at Georgetown University studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs and pursuing an International Business Diplomacy Certificate. Her primary research interest is U.S. strategy for technology sharing with China in the electric vehicle industry, learning from US-Japan automobile industry collaboration in the 1980s. Growing up as a first-generation Japanese-American and studying Mandarin Chinese for over nine years, this thesis project has been an extremely fulfilling way for Aya to culminate her academic and personal interests in her final university year. Upon graduation, she plans to move to Tokyo and is interested in pursuing intellectual property law for clean energy technologies in the future.