MIT Master’s Students Awarded Prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship
MIT master’s students Sunshine Jiang ’25 and Rupert Li ’24 have been honored as recipients of the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, a distinguished award that supports up to three years of graduate study at Stanford University. Now in its ninth year, the scholarship is recognized for its competitive selection process and its commitment to fostering innovation and leadership across various fields.
Sunshine Jiang ’25
Sunshine Jiang, hailing from Hangzhou, China, is set to receive her Master of Engineering this month. An MIT graduate of 2025, she majored in physics, electrical engineering, and computer science, alongside minors in mathematics and economics. Jiang will commence her doctoral studies in computer science at the Stanford School of Engineering this fall.
Jiang’s research focuses on embodied artificial intelligence and robotics, specifically developing data-efficient, adaptive systems for general-purpose robots aimed at broadening accessibility. Her work has been showcased at major conferences, such as the Conference on Robot Learning and the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, underscoring her expertise in the field.
Beyond her academic achievements, Jiang has made significant contributions to educational and cultural initiatives. She led the creation of AI-powered systems to enhance access to traditional Chinese arts in rural classrooms, founded programs to increase girls’ access to STEM education, and produced a Covid-19 documentary featured on China Daily, amplifying community voices during the pandemic.
Rupert Li ’24
Rupert Li, originally from Portland, Oregon, is currently pursuing a PhD in mathematics at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences. An MIT alumnus of 2024, he completed his bachelor’s degree with majors in mathematics, computer science, economics, and data science, followed by a master’s degree in data science. As a Marshall Scholar, Li furthered his studies with a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Cambridge.
Li’s research interests encompass probability, discrete geometry, and combinatorics. His commitment to fostering mathematical talent is evident in his mentorship roles with MIT PRIMES-USA, a high school mathematics research program, and as an advisor for Duluth REU, an undergraduate mathematics research program.
In addition to the Knight-Hennessy and Marshall Scholarships, Li’s accolades include the Hertz Scholarship, PD Soros Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship, and an honorable mention for the Frank and Brennie Morgan Prize, highlighting his authoritative presence in the academic community.
For more detailed information about the scholarship and the recipients, visit the original source here.
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