Since 1998, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans have been awarded to immigrants and children of immigrants for their graduate studies in the United States. This year, the fellowship was awarded to 30 graduate students, including Abigail Jiang, who graduated from Caltech in 2023 with a double major in materials science and history, and is now studying applied physics at Harvard; and Michael Yusov, a current graduate student in chemical engineering.
Jiang grew up in the Pacific Northwest, the child of Chinese immigrants. At Caltech, Jiang researched quantum materials with Assistant Professor of Materials Science Joseph Falson (also a William H. Hurt Scholar) and battery materials with Assistant Professor of Chemistry Kimberly See. They also studied history with Assistant Professor of History Danielle Wiggins and former Caltech history professor Maura Dykstra, winning Caltech's senior thesis prize for their thesis titled "Who's Chinatown, Whose Chinatown? Visions of Urban Progress in Los Angeles Chinatown, 1970–2020."
While at Caltech, Jiang co-founded Caltech's Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) student organization, which collaborated with larger AAPI mutual aid efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also advocated for new Caltech policies to assist LGBTQIA+ and first-generation college students, and organized a STEM research program to serve first-generation and low-income high school students.
"When I moved to Boston last summer to start my PhD," Jiang says, "I remember realizing that I'd arrived at the same life stage as my parents when they immigrated to the US for grad school. They undeniably had a much more difficult journey to seek higher education, and I am so lucky that my family's sacrifices have allowed me to pursue goals that were impossible for previous generations."
At Harvard, Jiang is researching novel materials with an eye toward investigating quantum physics and developing energy applications. Jiang continues their interest in history by pursuing secondary studies in the history of science and remains committed to advocating for accessibility and equity in academia.
"I'm excited to be part of the broader PD Soros community," Jiang says. "All the current fellows and alumni that I've met are genuine and generous people, and I look forward to connecting with peers from a huge diversity of backgrounds who share similar personal and academic goals."
Michael Yusov, the child of immigrants from St. Petersburg, Russia, came to Caltech from Seattle, where he studied chemistry, engineering, and mathematics at the University of Washington. Also an accomplished pianist, Yusov has competed and performed in the state of Washington and in Italy.
Yusov is focused on sustainability-related research. Under the auspices of the University of Washington, Yusov collaborated with the Wave Energy Research Centre at the University of Western Australia to identify cost-effective technologies for harnessing ocean waves as a source of energy; learned about the energy industry through an internship with Phillips 66; and studied the mechanical properties of recycled carbon fiber with Boeing.
At Caltech, Yusov does research in the lab of Karthish Manthiram, professor of chemical engineering and chemistry, and a William H. Hurt Scholar. Yusov is using high-throughput experimentation and machine learning to optimize lithium-mediated electrochemical ammonia synthesis. He hopes to uncover key variables and design principles governing the performance of ammonia synthesis, ultimately contributing to more efficient and sustainable ammonia production, which has significant implications for the global carbon footprint of ammonia manufacturing.
Yusov's parents left Russia in the early 1990s with $40, and Yusov recognizes how much their gamble on immigration has paid off for him. "Winning the PD Soros fellowship is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of the support and encouragement I have received from my family, mentors, and community throughout my journey," Yusov says. "I feel a sense of responsibility to continue striving for excellence in my research, to give back to my community, and to uphold the values of the fellowship. I cannot wait to connect with the other fellows in person during fall conferences in New York City!"
This year's Paul & Daisy Soros fellows have roots in Bangladesh, Canada, Cambodia, China, Columbia, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Palestinian territories, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Co-founder Daisy Soros comments, "I am filled with pride and hope for the bright futures they [as new fellows] will have professionally and as they give back to our community. Their stories demonstrate the strength and vitality inherent in the immigrant identity—they aren't afraid to take risks and think big."
