NTU graduate wins prestigious American fellowship

Ta-Chih Hsiao

Ta-Chih Hsiao, the son of Shu-Shai Huang and Yao-Hui Hsiao, has been named a McDonnell International Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, and he has received a corporate fellowship from the Boeing Co. He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Taiwan National University, which is one of 15 leading Asian universities partnered with Washington University in St. Louis in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

Mr. Hsiao is pursuing a doctorate in environmental engineering in the Sever Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and has a special interest in studying the environmental and health consequences of nano-particles. He expects his study to continue for two years. He would like eventually to return to Taiwan to contribute his knowledge and research findings. He is supported in his research by a fellowship awarded to him by Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company and a manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, combined with capabilities in rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems.

"Ta-Chih Hsiao has already completed his first year of graduate study at Washington University and has made a very positive impression here," said James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., the Marshall S. Snow Professor in Arts & Sciences and Director of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. "His research promises to have benefits for Boeing and for the wider world, and we anticipate his activities as part of the McDonnell Activity will help him become a global leader of the future."

The McDonnell International Scholars Academy is both new and unique. Employing an unusual structure and approach, it brings together top scholars from many countries to pursue world-class education and research while forging a strong network with one another. Key to this are partnerships Washington University has established with top universities and corporations around the world with an eye to increasing opportunities for joint research and global education.

The McDonnell Academy Scholars are considered future world leaders in their fields. As such, they are provided not only rigorous graduate instruction, but a thorough cultural, political and social education designed to prepare them as leaders knowledgeable about the United States, other countries, and critical international issues.

Once selected for this highly competitive program, each scholar is matched with a distinguished member of the Washington University faculty who serves as a mentor for the scholar and also as an "ambassador" to the university partner from which the scholar has graduated. The ambassador assists the McDonnell Scholar in academic and professional life and travels annually with the scholar to the partner university to build relationships between the two institutions.

David Ho

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Tuan-Hua David Ho, Ph.D., professor of biology in Arts & Sciences, is Mr. Hsiao's faculty mentor-ambassador. Dr. Ho has expertise in plant biology, development biology and molecular genetics. He does research in barley genes and other agricultural processes. He holds a doctorate in biology from the Michigan State University.

The McDonnell Academy Scholars receive funding for full tuition, living expenses and travel to and from St. Louis. Most of the scholars reside in two fully equipped and furnished apartment buildings near campus.

Funding is provided through a sustaining endowment gift from John F. McDonnell, vice chairman of the Washington University Board of Trustees and retired chairman of the board of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, additional endowment pledges, and 11 multinational corporate and foundation sponsors. Sponsoring corporations also offer internships and on-site educational opportunities for the Academy's Corporate Fellows.