Two MIT Students Receive Prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarships for Advanced Research

Two exceptional MIT students have been named 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars, a prestigious fellowship that will support their graduate studies at Stanford University. Sunshine Jiang '25 and Rupert Li '24 were selected from a highly competitive applicant pool for this honor, now in its ninth year.

Sunshine Jiang: Advancing Embodied AI and Robotics

Jiang, who will complete her master's in engineering from MIT this month, has established herself as a promising researcher in embodied artificial intelligence and robotics. Her double major in physics and electrical engineering and computer science, complemented by minors in mathematics and economics, provides a robust foundation for her interdisciplinary work.

"My research focuses on developing data-efficient, adaptive systems for general-purpose robots that can broaden accessibility," Jiang explained. This approach addresses a critical challenge in robotics: creating systems that can operate effectively with limited training data while maintaining adaptability to diverse environments and tasks.

Jiang's technical approach combines principles from machine learning, robotics, and cognitive science to create systems that learn more efficiently from fewer examples. This represents an important advancement in making robotic technology more practical and accessible for real-world applications where extensive data collection may be impractical or impossible.

Her research has been recognized at major conferences including the Conference on Robot Learning, the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, and the International Conference on Learning Representations. These venues represent some of the most influential gatherings in the field, where researchers present cutting-edge developments that shape the future of robotics and AI.

Beyond her technical research, Jiang has demonstrated commitment to applying technology for social impact. She led the development of AI-powered systems that provide access to traditional Chinese art in rural classrooms, founded cross-country programs expanding girls' access to STEM education, and created a Covid-19 documentary amplifying community voices, which was featured on China Daily.

"The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship will enable me to pursue my PhD in computer science at Stanford School of Engineering, where I hope to continue developing robotic systems that can adapt to novel situations with minimal data," Jiang said. Her work has particular relevance to applications in healthcare, disaster response, and service industries where robots must handle unpredictable scenarios.

Rupert Li: Exploring Frontiers in Mathematics

Rupert Li, currently pursuing a PhD in mathematics at Stanford, brings an impressive academic background to the fellowship. His MIT education included double majoring in mathematics and computer science, along with economics and data science, culminating in both bachelor's and master's degrees in data science.

Li's research interests lie in probability, discrete geometry, and combinatorics—fields that form the mathematical foundation for many applications in computer science, physics, and engineering. His work explores theoretical questions that have implications for understanding complex systems, developing efficient algorithms, and solving problems in optimization.

"Mathematics provides the language to describe complex relationships and structures that appear throughout science and engineering," Li noted. "My research aims to develop new mathematical tools and perspectives that can help solve problems that have resisted traditional approaches."

In addition to his academic pursuits, Li demonstrates a commitment to mentoring future mathematicians. He serves as a mentor for MIT PRIMES-USA, a high school math research program, and previously advised the Duluth REU, an undergraduate math research program. This dedication to education and knowledge transfer reflects the values of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.

Li's academic achievements extend beyond the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship. He has been awarded the Marshall Scholarship, which supported his master's degree in mathematics from the University of Cambridge, the Hertz Fellowship, the P.D. Soros Fellowship, and the Goldwater Scholarship. He also received honorable mention for the Frank and Brennie Morgan Prize, recognizing outstanding achievement in mathematics by undergraduate students.

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, established in 2016, aims to develop a new generation of global leaders. The fellowship provides up to three years of financial support for graduate studies at Stanford University, allowing scholars to pursue their academic passions while developing leadership skills and cross-cultural understanding.

For more information about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, visit their official website. The program continues to attract exceptional talent from around the world, with MIT consistently producing a significant number of recipients each year.