Imagine A World

In this episode, Max Du (’24 cohort) speaks with Barkotel Zememu (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where the mysteries of the physical universe are mysteries not just to those who are detectives but also to those who are not. Barkotel, who is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford. In this episode, Barkotel shares his journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford, discussing his first experience of the world beyond Ethiopia and his adaptation to new cultural contexts. He addresses the importance of cultivating deep and authentic relationships, and how writing became a valuable tool for reconnecting with himself. Barkotel also explores the role of community in life, his reflections on the role of chance in shaping our destinies, and his fascination with dark matter and the curiosity that fuels his physics studies. He concludes by offering insightful advice to prospective students.Highlights from this episode:(2:33) Journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford(3:54) Experiencing the world outside Ethiopia for the first time(7:49) Noticing and navigating cultural differences(14:28) Cultivating meaningful and vulnerable relationships(18:45) Journaling as a way to connect with oneself(27:28) Going through life in community with others(29:47) Reflecting on the randomness of life(33:19) What is dark matter?(42:05) Bringing unrelenting curiosity to the study of physics(48:44) Humanizing the scholar experience(53:30) Advice for prospective applicants

In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Ayo Dada (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where education is accessible to everyone regardless of any aspect of their identity. Ayo shares his journey from Nigeria to Stanford—an unexpected path set in motion by a single email—and reflects on how discovering Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset shaped his academic trajectory. He discusses his early steps after studying psychology at the University of Lagos, his PhD research on psychologically wise interventions, and his current postdoctoral work focused on expanding opportunities for girls in underserved regions. Ayo also reflects on how the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community broadened his perspective, the skills he gained through the program, and the global experiences that continue to inform his commitment to education as a collaborative, empowering process.Highlights from this episode: (2:08) Introduction(2:48) Recounting the journey from Nigeria to Stanford and how one email changed everything(4:38) Reflecting on the influence of Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset(6:22) Exploring his path after studying psychology at the University of Lagos(7:58) Describing his current postdoctoral work expanding opportunities for girls in underserved regions(9:05) Discussing his PhD research on psychologically wise interventions(14:02) Reframing education as a collaborative process (19:54) How Knight-Hennessy Scholars complemented his experience at Stanford(25:13) Identifying the main skill he gained from Knight-Hennessy Scholars(27:15) Takeaways from his Global Travel/Study program trip to Norway(30:00) Highlights from the Global Leadership Program(33:10) Remembering favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars traditions

In this episode, Sydney Hunt (’23 cohort) interviews fellow host Anson Zhou (’24 cohort) alongside special guest host Katherine Hu (’22 cohort). Anson imagines a world where all medical discoveries successfully translate into patient care. He discusses how his experiences in research, consulting, and clinical rotations deepened his commitment to addressing the “translation gap” in medicine — ensuring that innovations reach the patients who need them most. Highlights from this episode: (06:27) Journey from New York to Suzhou, China to D.C. and eventually California(11:02) Pursuing biomedical engineering in undergrad(20:01) Reasoning behind pursuing an MD and MBA dual degree at Stanford(29:34) Reflecting on the MD experience so far(34:50) Hopes for his MBA year(40:38) How he plans to use his MD and MBA in the future(45:34) Rapid questions, advice to Knight-Hennessy Scholars applicants, and improbable facts

This is the inaugural episode of the Imagine A World podcast, Alumni Edition, where host Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) sits down with alumni to explore their journeys since graduating from Stanford and how they are making an impact in their personal and professional lives. In this episode, Eli speaks with Bingyi Wang (’18 cohort), who imagines a world where technology and science transcend borders to bring benefits to everyday people. Bingyi shares her path from China to New Mexico, where she attended a United World College, and then to Williams College, where she studied physics before later pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford University. Bingyi discusses her research on curing blindness, her experiences as a Knight-Hennessy scholar, and how being part of the KHS community has shaped her worldview and commitment to global collaboration. Highlights from the episode 2:46 Recounting the journey from China to Stanford4:36 Reflecting on how Immersion Weekend drew her to Stanford6:33 Connection between her work today and her time as a PhD student10:23 Framing how Knight-Hennessy Scholars fit into her experience at Stanford and beyond14:04 Thinking about scientific rigor beyond research in a time of uncertainty16:38 Founding her first company through Knight-Hennessy Scholars18:09 The value of improv and storytelling21:20 Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars memories

In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with Alina Santander Vinokurova ('24 cohort) who imagines a world where the aerospace industry serves both humanity and Earth equally. Alina shares about her journey from growing up in Bolivia to pursuing a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford. She also reflects on how climate crises like the Amazon wildfires shaped her vision for an aerospace industry that not only advances exploration but also protects our planet.Highlights from the episode:(3:56) Exciting summer plans(10:53) Journey from Bolivia to Stanford(17:32) Navigating the application process for university(21:05) Becoming interested in engineering, aerospace, and climate tech(38:06) Being a Knight-Hennessy Scholar(50:17) Competing in the NASA Rover Challenge and other improbable facts

In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) interviews Willie Thompson ('22 cohort), one of the original creators of Imagine a World, and a person whose presence will be deeply missed within the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community. Throughout the episode, he reflects on what it means to be in community with others and how that has looked for him from where he grew up to his time as a husband and father at Stanford as part of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community.Don't miss: A surprise visit by another person who played a pivotal role in the creation of the Imagine a World podcast: Taylor Goss ('21 cohort).Highlights from the episode:(02:46) Imagine a World/Denning House-style guessing game(05:54) Surprise visit from Taylor Goss(07:18) Growing up in the Deep South, going to Morehouse College, spending a year in Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, spending a year in Beijing as a Schwarzman Scholar, and working at The Bridgespan Group (11:29) Things Willie liked to do in his communities growing up and the inspiration behind his interest in education(15:51) Wanting to start a school(19:49) His experiences in high school leading up to Morehouse and how he was able to form a tight-knit community with his peers at Morehouse(29:25) Deciding to apply to Fulbright and Schwarzman(33:55) Elaborating on his Imagine a World statement(41:48) Being in the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars community and being in community as a father, husband, and a Knight-Hennessy Scholar (47:19) Value of mixing fields and programs while at Stanford(54:44) Improbable facts, five favorite albums of all time, and Willie's walk-on song

Rachel Desch, a member of the 2023 Knight-Hennessy cohort and a second-year master's student in international policy, shares insights from her diverse background on a military base to her academic journey. She discusses the importance of building trust in government to mitigate conflict and inspire innovative policymaking. Rachel highlights how pockets of 'start-up culture' within government can lead to mission-driven progress. She also reflects on common misconceptions about bureaucratic operations and shares her aspirations for public service.

In this special episode, Sydney Hunt (‘23 cohort), Anson Zhou ('24 cohort), and Max Du ('24 cohort) curate some of the most memorable moments of Season 2 through the lens of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars leadership model. Across four segments—curiosity, inspiration, open-mindedness, and visionary thinking—they revisit several standout clips from scholars who pushed boundaries in science fairs, forged lifelong friendships, embraced mentorship, and built new paths for their communities.Highlights from the episode:(01:46) Curiosity: Catharine Bowman ('22 cohort) recounts her first backyard water-filter experiments, her bacterial-growth grocery-bag study, and how a local science fair project led to a world-record baking soda volcano on the Discovery Channel.(05:43) Inspiration: Takondwa Priscilla Semphere ('23 cohort), Sanaa Alam ('23 cohort), Hannah Melville-Rea ('23 cohort), Jocelyn Ricard ('23 cohort), and Leona Neftaliem ('23 cohort) reflect on building enduring friendships across time zones and how the programming at Knight-Hennessy Scholars enabled their close bonds. We also hear about the friendships shared by Longsha Liu and David Jiang and Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort), Gianmarco Coronado Graci ('23 cohort), and Will Dwyer ('23 cohort).(17:16) Open-Mindedness: Jordyn Sanico and Christian Tanja share the teachers and early-career mentors who urged them to “just try,” followed by Eliza Ennis’s ('22 cohort) insights into empowering community leaders in global health policy.(25:38) Visionary: Quyên Nguyễn-Hoàng ('22 cohort) describes the beauty of slowing down in a fast-paced world, and Khushi Malde ('24 cohort) describes founding an entrepreneurship nonprofit that bridges Kenyan students with mentors.

In this episode, Max Du ('24 cohort) and Nikhil Gupta ('22 cohort) interview Madison Freeman ('22 cohort) who imagines a world where technological solutions drive a sustainable economy. Madison unpacks her passion for the venture capital climate technology space and what that work looks like day-to-day. She talks about how she became interested in climate issues and where her desire to do internationally impactful work comes from. Madison also shares how students, startups, and international climate initiatives fuel her optimism about solving climate challenges--even amid today's uncertain funding landscape.Highlights from the episode:(02:48) Her Austin upbringing, time studying in DC, and desire to do internationally impactful work(09:48) Becoming interested in climate matters(14:23) Understanding the increased interest in climate(16:01) Rapid fire questions about Madison and climate(20:17) Work before Stanford and breaking into the climate space(27:01) Elaborating more on her interest in the field of venture capital climate tech ecosystem(31:39) The day-to-day of someone in the venture capital climate tech space(35:22) Working in the State Department(41:22) Advice for those interested in working in policy(45:48) Advice for people interested in applying to Stanford and Knight-Hennessy Scholars(50:50) Breaking down why it is a strange time for climate right now and why Madison continues to be optimistic about eventually solving climate challenges

In this episode, Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with David Jiang ('22 cohort) and Longsha Liu ('22 cohort) about their journeys to Stanford and the close friendship they've formed. David and Longsha share the accomplishments and vision behind their KHeystone Project: the Stanford Healthcare Design Challenge, which seeks to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and implementation. Longsha discusses the motivation behind his interests in the intersections of healthcare with technology, research, and business. He also shares his elaborately planned and heartwarming proposal story (which David played a huge role in). David talks about the importance of community throughout his time as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and what creating community during COVID times looked like.Highlights from the episode:(04:06) Longsha's journey from Hong Kong to California (and all the places between)(06:09) The motivation behind Longsha's interests in healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship(11:20) David's journey from the Gobi Desert to Japan and then Minnesota(13:21) David's path to law school(18:02) Their Immersion Weekend experience, how they ended up becoming close friends, and finding community in Knight-Hennessy during COVID times(28:46) Longsha's upcoming wedding, David's role as the officiant and co-best man, and Longsha's proposal story(41:55) Their KHeystone Project: the Stanford Healthcare Design Challenge(51:35) How Longsha's startup influenced the development of the KHeystone Project(1:00:07) Improbable facts(1:01:37) Advice for those applying to Knight-Hennessy