Class Notes

Brian Sun, EN22, EN23, is currently a student in the MD/PhD program at WashU’s School of Medicine.

Zhaolong (Adrian) Li, LA22, has been working as a neuroimaging researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at WashU since graduation. He has won the Society for Neuroscience’s Trainee Professional Development Award, and he has led several studies, including one investigating poverty’s influences on children’s brain development that was recently published in JAMA Network Open and featured in WashU’s The Source and in national news. He also assumed the role of co-chair for WashU’s Alumni and Parents Admissions Program in the St. Louis North region, helping connect WashU to more high school students.

Gabriella Smith, LA22, was named to the 2023 cohort of Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University. The scholars receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary leaders who address complex challenges facing the world. Scholars are selected based on their demonstration of independence of thought, purposeful leadership and civic mindset. Smith is pursuing a medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine and aspires to fuse clinical medicine, research and advocacy to support the health and well-being of children and promote health equity.

Michael Wang, EMBA21, is a current student in the Olin Business School program at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

Tej Seelamsetty, EN19, is head of growth at Fair Square Medicare, a startup that is working to simplify Medicare and empower seniors. Seelamsetty was inspired to join the company after learning more about its mission and how it related to his father’s journey through Medicare. Seelamsetty writes that his enduring love of learning, hard work and mission-driven service was fostered during his years at WashU.

Carter Paterson, LA19, joined IATSE Local 161 Union in 2022 as an assistant production coordinator and worked with Chiwetel Ejiofor on his directorial debut Rob Peace. Paterson also visited his 40th country for WUnderground’s alumni trip to Cuba.

Zachary Goldman, LA19, SW20, is in the doctoral psychology program at George Washington University.

Jacob Levitan, LA18, completed a master’s in international relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 2023. Prior to that, he lived and worked in Kazakhstan from September 2019–February 2020 working in think tanks focusing on international relations, specifically Russia. After Kazakhstan, he worked at the Caspian Policy Center and International Conflict Resolution Center. Levitan was one of three winners of the Munich Security Conference’s annual international Junior Ambassador Essay Competition for his short essay, titled “A Wasted Opportunity,” analyzing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Marina Peng, FA17, and Mee Jey, GF19, both were selected as a Craft Alliance’s Artist-in-Residence for the 2023–24 cohort. Their two-person exhibit Where to Begin When to End ran at the Staenberg Gallery at Craft Alliance in July. Peng and Jey’s work focuses on Asian American and Pacific Islander narratives and stories of immigration, cultural identity and isolation through textiles and videography.

Yifan Diao, SI17, GR21, was named to the Top 30 Under 30 list by the 2023 All-American Chinese Youth Federation (AACYF). The honor recognizes outstanding Chinese American innovators, entrepreneurs and future leaders. Diao was selected for AACYF’s list in the Academic Research Individual Achievement category for his accomplishments in materials research and innovation, including work in energy storage, conducting polymers and flexible electronics. He is a senior scientist at solar technology company LONGi.