University of New Mexico senior Qiao Liang has won the highly competitive Merage Foundation for the American Dream Fellowship. She is one of only 14 recipients nationwide and will be presented the $20,000 award at a ceremony in California in June. Liang, who majored in Mathematics, will receive her bachelor’s degree summa cum laude May 14.
She is a tutor in Chinese and math through UNM’s Center for Academic Program Support. Liang plans to use her fellowship for research when she enters graduate studies in applied mathematics at UNM in the summer. She will also teach math during the summer session.
“I can’t think of a better person to represent our university and I’m looking forward to following her career at UNM and well into the future,” said Amy Wolhert, UNM associate provost.
Liang, who is 24, emigrated to the U.S. when she was 17. She says she was the only Chinese student at Cibola High School in Albuquerque. She attended UNM on the Lottery Scholarship and became a citizen in 2004.
After considering majors in architecture, business and computational math, Liang concentrated her studies on mathematical biology. She says her decision was influenced by the SARS disease outbreak in China. “I was worried by friends and family in China who were taken to the hospital. If I can become a good mathematical biologist, I can design mathematical models to help determine the most efficient way to reduce the risk of disease,” Liang said.
The Merage Foundation is located at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It provides expanded opportunities for immigrants and encourages Americans to recognize and celebrate the contributions of immigrants.
Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816.