2026 Knight Hennessy Scholars: Yingke Wang, CC'23, and Julia Alexsandra Galiza Soares, CC'23
Congratulations to Julia Alexsandra Galiza Soares, CC’23, and Yingke Wang, CC’23, two Columbians selected for the prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University!
2026 Knight Hennessy Scholars: Yingke Wang, CC'23, and Julia Alexsandra Galiza Soares, CC'23
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is a multidisciplinary leadership development program at Stanford University. Scholars are selected from around the world to receive financial support to pursue graduate study across Stanford’s seven schools, while participating in transformative experiences designed to cultivate visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders equipped to address the world’s most pressing and complex challenges. This year 87 Scholars were selected for the Knight-Hennessy, including two 2023 graduates of Columbia College!
Julia Alexsandra Galiza Soares, CC’23, is from São Paulo, Brazil, and pursuing an MD at Stanford School of Medicine. At Columbia, she majored in neuroscience and her work spans preclinical and clinical research, advancing understanding of the brain circuitry underlying mood disorders and pain conditions. Julia has conducted research at the University of São Paulo, Columbia University, Harvard University, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Stanford University. Through this work, she aims to develop innovative, personalized treatments for individuals with treatment-resistant personality and mood disorders. Committed to equity in science and medicine, Julia has co-founded, led, and mentored within organizations dedicated to recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds. She is a John Kluge Scholar, a recipient of the Society for Neuroscience Trainee Award, and a Racial Equity to Advance a Community of Health Scholar.
Yingke Wang, CC’23, is from Shanghai, China and pursuing a PhD in computer science at Stanford University. Previously, she earned a master’s degree in computer science from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and visual arts from Columbia. Yingke aspires to build intelligent robotic systems that translate human intention into physical expression, augmenting human capabilities such as precision, endurance, and tremor mitigation to make robotic manipulation more accessible for people with physical constraints. She is also interested in robotic systems for creative tasks such as painting, expanding what counts as an artistic medium for both robots and human artists. Yingke’s work has been published in venues including the International Conference on Robotics (ICRA) and Automation and Science Robotics, and she was a finalist for the ICRA 2025 Best Paper Award. Her artwork has been exhibited at venues around the world and has received multiple honors, including the Tryon Prize for Art.
Congratulations, also, to Kelsey Smith, BC'19 on being named a Knight-Hennessy Scholar! Kelsey earned a degree in political science and French from Barnard, and is currently pursuing a JD at Stanford Law.
Columbia students and alums interested in learning more about and applying for the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship are encouraged to connect with advisors at Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.