“Unquestionably the single most important impact on my personal and professional life.”
Current Fellows in Education, Health, and Arts
Education
Yale-China Fellow at Yali High School
Lucas is originally from San Francisco California and graduated from Yale in 2026 with a B.A. in Global Affairs and Economics and an Advanced Language Certificate in Mandarin Chinese. Lucas dedicated a large portion of his time at Yale to volunteering with the Yale Prison Education Initiative where he tutored incarcerated students. He co-founded the Caribbean Affairs Conference at Yale (CACY), focusing on improving international relations through education and cultural exchange. He has also worked as an English Teacher for Summerbridge Hong Kong where he taught English to middle-school aged students. Lucas also trains, competes and teaches Capoeira, a Brazilian Martial Art which he hopes to incorporate into his teaching at Yali. Lucas is so excited to continue building relationships and immersing himself in the vibrancy of Changsha.
Yale-China Fellow at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Aimee is a proud second-generation Chinese American who grew up between New York City and Connecticut. She graduated from Yale in 2025 with a B.A. in History. Her senior thesis explored NATO’s Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS), a pioneering initiative launched in 1969 to address global climate and social issues. Aimee has previously interned at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and with International Bridges to Justice in Geneva, Switzerland. At Yale, Aimee served on the board of the Yale Undergraduate Piano Collective, worked as an Alumni Researcher for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, mentored through IRIS, edited for the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal, and volunteered with the Yale New Haven Hospital’s Living History Project. Her semester abroad in Sweden was pivotal in sparking her interest in teaching, where she served as an English teaching assistant at a local high school. Aimee is thrilled to have the opportunity to live and serve in her grandparents’ hometown, where she looks forward to learning Cantonese, exploring the chamber music scene, and immersing herself in Chinese culture! In the future, she hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of international law and policy.
Yale-China Fellow at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Arantxa (she/her) graduated in May 2025 from Yale University with a degree in English Literature and an Advanced Language Certificate in Mandarin Chinese. At Yale, she served on the English department’s student advisory board, acted as the Yale Chinese Language and Career Initiative’s Director of Events and Speakers, co-chaired Yale’s only Peruvian cultural group, worked as one of two Timothy Dwight (TD) Chief Aides, and mentored underclassmen as a TD First-Year Counselor. Arantxa was also involved in the New Haven community as a Yale-China New Haven Public Library Senior Fellow and an intern for New Haven Reads. Outside the classroom, Arantxa loves taking long walks, sketching, trying new coffee shops and baking with her friends. She is looking forward to starting a career in education, and cannot wait to meet CUHK and all its wonderful students!
Yale-China Fellow at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Alicia is a second generation Chinese American, raised in Minnesota, and currently living in Irvine, California. She graduated from Yale University in 2026 with a B.A. in both English Literature and Art. Her work, whether it be designing as Creative Director of The New Journal, conducting provenance research for the Yale University Art Gallery, or writing proposals at Sotheby’s, often centered on the rich overlap between these two fields. Teaching was another common theme: she regularly led company classes and rehearsals for Yaledancers, and periodically volunteered as a writing tutor and arts teacher back home in California. Following a pivotal experience living and studying in Beijing as a Richard U. Light Fellow in Summer of 2024, Alicia became interested in starting her post-grad life in Asia. She looks forward to realizing that dream with Yale-China, and continuing to expand her cross-cultural knowledge through lived experience. She is especially looking forward to building relationships with CUHK’s students and professors, and to learn from them just as much as she hopes to teach as a fellow. She invites anyone who is interested in learning more, or even in visiting HK, to drop her a line at any of her socials. She couldn’t be more excited for the next two years!
Doug Murray Fellow at Xiuning High School
Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, Isaiah graduated from Yale in 2025 with a B.A. in Linguistics and a certificate in Chinese. Academically, he is interested in how people use ideologies about language to construct social meaning, particularly in relation to the construction of ethnicity and place in contemporary Taiwan and China. At Yale, he worked on research projects investigating the semantics of indigenous Australian languages and producing documentation materials for Loma, a language spoken in Guinea and Liberia. He is also an enthusiast of nature and music, having served as a leader for Yale’s First-Year Outdoor Orientation Trips and co-chaired the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs. Isaiah is excited to learn to appreciate both the beauty and challenges of teaching and life in Xiuning County over his two years in China. He hopes that he will be able to transform his love for the entanglement of language and culture into meaningful and horizon-broadening experiences for Xiuzhong students. After serving as a Fellow, he plans to continue learning about the Sinophone world by pursuing graduate studies in anthropology.
Yale-China Fellow at Yali High School
Joe Thames grew up all his life in the town Derry, Ireland. He graduated from Yale with a B.A. in History and an Italian language certificate in 2025. At Yale, he was a Peer Liaison and the Engagement Fellow for the Office of International Students and Scholars along with working in the Admission’s Office. He was also an archivist at National Museums Northern Ireland back home. He speaks three languages proficiently, two conversationally, and hopes to add Mandarin to the list.
Having written his thesis on westerners in China, and having worked in international student education administration outside the classroom, Joe’s interest in cultural exchanges led him to this fellowship. In Changsha, he’s excited to visit the Hunan Museum and live in a large, ancient city for the first time. He hopes to interactively teach about both US and Irish culture, maybe even through traditional sport like Gaelic football.
Yale-China Fellow at Yali High School
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Giri graduated from Yale with a B.A. in Global Affairs, a certificate in Global Health Studies, and as a Yale Journalism Scholar. His academic work focused on global health policy, science communication, and amplifying healthcare access among the world’s most neglected populations. Outside the classroom, Giri performed worldwide as a tenor with the Yale Spizzwinks(?), directed photography and science coverage for the Yale Daily News, served as an education counselor for the HAVEN Free Clinic, researched the cost-effectiveness of prescription medicines, mentored TD first-years as a FroCo, and served as a patient navigator for Afghan refugee families. As a student-journalist, he also spent two years reporting for CNN, covering breaking medical news for its healthcare unit, and as a production intern for Fareed Zakaria GPS, the network’s flagship global affairs program.
After the Fellowship, Giri aspires to a career as a physician-writer. In the meantime, however, he is excited to return to his roots as an educator: before college, Giri spent a year serving as an AmeriCorps member and STEM educator during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, when he’s not teaching, you’ll find him brushing up on his Mandarin, strumming his guitar, and scootering around in search of Changsha’s finest vegetarian cuisine.
Yale-China Fellow at Xiuning High School
Daniel graduated from Yale in 2026 with a B.A. in Classics; before New Haven, he called New Jersey and New Hampshire home. At Yale, he edited the Yale Literary Magazine, served as the Head Gallery Guide at the Yale University Art Gallery, and taught New Haven Public School students through Citizens Thinkers Writers. In his free time, he sang in the a cappella group Doox of Yale and volunteered at Sunrise Cafe. His academic work focused on Greek tragedy, modern and contemporary literature, and critical theory. He is so excited to meet the Xiuning community, improve his Mandarin, and support his students!
Yale-China Fellow at Xiuning High School
Originally born in Chongqing, Peter grew up in Vancouver, Canada and graduated from Yale University in 2025 with a B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics. His academic work explored the intersection of law and political economy and his thesis focused on inequalities within the international commercial arbitration system. Peter also worked at the Yale Economic Growth Center on development economics research. While at Yale, he served as a FOOT leader, Co-Captain of the Yale Club Swimming team, President of Yale Chi Alpha, and was passionately involved in playing the Harkness bells as part of the Guild of Carillonneurs. In Anhui, he is excited to share with his students his love of creative writing and the outdoors, and learning much from them in return. After the fellowship, Peter will be matriculating at Harvard Law School through the Junior Deferral Program, and is grateful and excited to spend these deferral years forming meaningful relationships with the community in Xiuning!
Chinese Teaching Fellow at Edgewood School
Hu Yaning holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from Sichuan University, with a focus on second language acquisition and intercultural competence. Her educational journey continued at The George Washington University, where she studied global competence before earning her Master of Arts in TESOL with Distinction from University College London (UCL). Her postgraduate work specialized in second language acquisition theory and teaching methodologies.
Yaning’s diverse teaching experience centers on educational innovation and cross-cultural integration. While teaching at a high school within the prestigious Yali Education Group in Changsha, she pioneered new approaches to technology-assisted English instruction and explored models for Sino-foreign educational integration, earning multiple provincial and national awards. Her work is driven by a commitment to synthesizing the strengths of diverse educational models, exploring possibilities for fusion and innovation to empower students for lifelong learning.
Additionally, Yaning brings a creative spirit to her work, drawing on her skills in traditional Chinese arts like painting and paper cutting.
K.C. Li Chinese Teaching Fellow at John C. Daniels School
Huang Liang graduated from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies with a Masters Degree in English Interpreting. Currently teaching at Yali High School, she believes that language learning thrives through active communication and real-world application. She fosters a dynamic, supportive classroom that emphasizes collaboration, practical tasks, and student engagement, aiming to develop not only academic proficiency but also confidence and curiosity.
Beyond teaching, Huang Liang enjoys sports, singing, and cooking, and volunteers at museums in her spare time. Now spending a year in the United States, she is enthusiastic about promoting cross-cultural exchange by introducing American students to Chinese language and culture. She is also looking forward to connecting with local educators and gaining new insights and teaching strategies to further enrich her professional practice upon returning to China.
Chinese Teaching Fellow at Clinton Avenue School and Fair Haven School
Luo Shiqi, from Nanya Xingsha Experimental School, Changsha, graduated from Hunan Normal University with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English and Subject Teaching (English). With several years of teaching experience across middle and high schools—including roles as both an English teacher and head teacher—she has developed strong skills in classroom management and bilingual education. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, playing badminton, and creating handmade crafts such as knitting and paper art. As the Chinese Teaching Fellow, Luo looks forward to deepening her understanding of American education, sharing Chinese language and culture, and building meaningful connections with students and the community in New Haven.
NHPS Language Fellow at Worthington Hooker School
Kelly is a sophomore in Yale College studying Political Science and East Asian Studies with a concentration on China. Hailing from Newton, Massachusetts, she joined Yale-China in 2025 supporting ESOL learners at Worthington Hooker School. At Yale, Kelly is involved with several campus publications and enjoys movie marathons, Sondheim musicals, and Olmo bagels in her free time. Her interest in modern and classical Chinese literature, history, and politics began at a young age. In the past summer, she was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to study abroad in Taipei, Taiwan through the Richard U. Light Fellowship.
NHPS Language Fellow at Metropolitan Business Academy
Anna Lehman is a junior in Yale College hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, and majoring in Global Affairs with a certificate in Data Science and Mandarin. She joined Yale-China in 2024 as a New Haven Public School Fellow, teaching Mandarin at the Metropolitan Business Academy. At Yale, Anna also participates in a cappella as a singer in the New Blue, Yale’s oldest female undergraduate organization, and as a dual-hatted tour guide both for campus admission and at the Yale University Art Gallery. Her interest in the Chinese language stems from her early childhood, and she has studied abroad in Hsinchu, Taiwan through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) in 2022, and as a Light Fellow in Beijing, China in 2024.
NHPS Language Fellow at Co-op High School
Nicholas is a Junior in Yale College studying Global Affairs and Economics. Growing up in Hong Kong, he supports Chinese language learners at Co-Op High School as a New Haven Public Schools Fellow. Nick’s interests lie in inclusive economic development, and he spent his past summer in India and Ghana working in impact finance and development economics research. At Yale, Nick is involved with the Economic Growth Center, the Yale Men’s Club Volleyball Team, and the Chinese American Students Association. He has also been fortunate enough to study language abroad in Osaka, Japan, with the support of the Richard U. Light Fellowship.
New Haven Free Public Library Fellow
Camille Chang is a senior in Silliman majoring in the History of Art and East Asian Studies. She teaches with the Gallery Guide program at the Yale University Art Gallery and is a teaching fellow for the Japanese Language Department. She has previously taught Chinese and English language in various programs at Yale. In conjunction with her studies, Camille is passionate about learning through making and craft exercises, including green woodworking and bespoke shoemaking.
New Haven Free Public Library Fellow
Rebecca Park is a first-year M.Div. candidate at Yale Divinity School. Having grown up across the US, China, and South Korea, she has a wide range of international experiences informing her work and studies. She graduated from Williams College in 2022 with a B.A. in Economics and Political Science. Upon graduation, she went to Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant for two years, where she supported English language learning for elementary and university students. In the past year, she volunteered at the Taizé monastic community in France, walked the Camino de Santiago, and bikepacked around Taiwan. Her future career plans include chaplaincy and work at the intersections of faith, social justice, and public policy.
New Haven Free Public Senior Library Fellow
Jessica is a junior from Chicago, Illinois studying Statistics and Data Science at Yale College. Outside of classes, Jessica is the Director General of Committees for Yale Model United Nations Europe, Under-Secretary-General of General Assemblies for Yale Model United Nations held on campus, and President of the Yale Sustainable Consulting Collective. In her free time, she works at Yale’s social science library, enjoys rhythmic gymnastics, plays the piano, and watches Chinese TV shows and movies.
Arts
2024 Yale-China Resident Artist
Jennifer Yuqing Cao (曹语晴) is a first-year MFA scenic design candidate at Yale David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Based in NYC and China, her work in theater and dance as an international artist focuses on the possibilities of space and storytelling. She believes that her design on stage does not act as a still supplementary but as a crucial and active participant in the narration. Selected works including Once 一场 (China National Tour) as the set designer, costume designer, and production stage manager; Set Design for Here’s a Blue Morpho For You (NYU CSSA GALA), The Comedy of Errors (NYU Tisch NSB), My Heavenly Favorite (assistant scenographer, International Theater Amsterdam).
More about the designer: https://jenniferyuqingcao.com/
Health
2026 Yale-China Health Fellow
Ting Cao is a gerontologist and researcher at the School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology/Gerontology from Renmin University of China and a PhD in Social Sciences from Lingnan University, where she previously worked with the Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies (APIAS).
She also has industry experience as a geriatric health assessment expert supporting a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Yunnan, China. Her current research focuses on aging policy, healthy aging, and community-based elder care, with particular attention to how social support systems, care capacity, and service accessibility shape older adults’ health and wellbeing in rural contexts.
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Xi Chen, Associate Professor at the Yale School of Public Health
• Fellowship Topic: “A Study on Community Care Services for Older People in Rural Yunnan”
2025 Chia Health Fellow
Gang Gan graduated from the Nursing Master's Program jointly established by Central South University and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She currently works as an emergency department nurse at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, with six years of clinical experience. Her research focuses on workplace violence prevention in emergency departments and psychosocial interventions for elderly patients. In leisure time, she engages in travel, physical training, and voluntary public welfare activities.
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joanne Iennaco, Professor of Nursing at the Yale School of Nursing
• Fellowship Topic: "Developing a Digital Problem-Solving Therapy Intervention to Alleviate Depressive Symptoms Among Rural Solitary Elderly in Western Hunan"
2025 Chia Health Fellow
Xueling Xiao is an Associate Professor at the Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University. Her research centers on promoting health-enhancing behaviors and understanding their psychosocial underpinnings, with a particular focus on populations at risk for HIV and individuals living with HIV. With a sustained commitment to public health, she has designed and evaluated innovative online training programs aimed at increasing the uptake of healthy behaviors. As an educator, she is also dedicated to integrating innovative digital tools into nursing education to cultivate students’ logical reasoning and critical thinking skills.
• Faculty Mentor: Dr. LaRon E. Nelson, Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing at the Yale School of Nursing
• Fellowship Topic: “Exploring Older Adults’ Preferences for Advanced Digital Agents in HIV Risk Reduction”
2025 Yale-China Health Fellow
Rufei Duan is an Associate Professor and public health medical doctor in Yunnan Cancer Hospital, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. She obtained her Ph.D. from Peking Union Medical College (Tsinghua University School of Medicine) and finished her postdoctoral research in Kunming Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on cancer epidemiology and population prevention and control, including epidemiological studies, screening strategies, risk prediction, and comprehensive prevention and control of cervical, breast and lung cancer. She has published eight research papers as the first author. Rufei is also a recipient of government subsidies and research funding in support of high-level talent in Yunnan.
• Faculty mentor: Dr. Hermine Poghosyan, Associate Professor at Yale School of Nursing.
• Fellowship topic: "Study on appropriate community-based cervical cancer screening and management model in rural Yunnan".