Pauline Ku, BS (BS ’12) [left] and Angelica Zhou, BS (BS ’20) will use their Chang Prizes, respectively, to tackle mental health issues and environmental justice
February 7, 2022
Caltech has awarded the 2022 Milton and Rosalind Chang Career Exploration Prize to Angelica Zhou, BS (BS ’20) and Pauline Ku, BS (BS ’12). Angelica received the Chang Prize for her proposed project “Understanding and Alleviating Environmental Inequality in Underprivileged Communities” and Pauline received the prize to work on her project “Write Your Health.”
The Chang Prize was established by Milton Chang (PhD ’69) — 2002 Caltech Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and Caltech Senior Trustee—and his wife, Rosalind, to provide alumni with the freedom to explore careers outside of academia and build their skills as leaders and advocates. The Chang Prize awards up to $65,000 to each recipient to support proposed career exploration projects. The Changs created the award to “give back to Caltech and to America,” and because they believe the Chang Prize “is a good way to optimize the high potential of Techers.”
For Angelica, the Chang Prize funding makes possible her pursuit to understand and tackle environmental justice from multiple angles — not just scientific, but also social and political — by connecting with scientists, social workers, policymakers, litigators, and citizens in the communities most impacted by climate change. She will follow her passion by volunteering in these disenfranchised communities, engaging with non-profit organizations and assessment exports, and amplifying the voices of minorities living in environmentally dangerous conditions and without resources. “The Chang Prize gives me the opportunity to explore in-depth the social ramifications of a problem that extends far beyond science. My goal is to bring equity to the forefront of the climate change debate,” says Angelica.
Pauline says she will use her expertise as a writer to improve the welfare of those with mental illness in the country and border region of El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico by creating an accessible library, providing journals and training to residents, and volunteering with The National Alliance on Mental Illness. She hopes to organize poetry and memoir workshops and readings to encourage exploration, examination, and healing. “The Chang Prize will help me focus my energy on decreasing stigma and offer legitimacy to my efforts in mental health advocacy,” says Pauline.
“Every year, the Chang Prize Committee has the privilege and joy of reading the thoughts and dreams of Caltech graduates, and this year was no different,” says Evan Tsang (BS ‘99), 2022 Chang Prize Committee Chair. “Angelica and Pauline submitted plans that were personal and close to their hearts and used this as motivation to reach out to help others through a change in their own careers. We wish them both the best as they embark on these remarkable journeys. We thank the Changs for giving us this amazing opportunity."
About the Milton and Rosalind Chang Career Exploration Prize
The Milton and Rosalind Chang Career Exploration Prize is an annual award open to Caltech graduates who have received their BS, terminal masters, or PhD from Caltech within the past ten years. Caltech alumni who are interested in fearlessly exploring a new career are encouraged to apply for the 2023 application cycle opening in the summer. Read project updates from the Chang Prize recipients and learn more at alumni.caltech.edu/chang-prize.
About the Caltech Alumni Association (CAA)
CAA exists to ensure the personal, professional, and intellectual success and well-being of the more than 25,000 Caltech alumni around the world. Caltech Alumni advance humanity through active participation in Caltech and in the communities where they live, work, and play. Together, CAA and Techers champion education, science, and technology, using their skills, experiences, training, and education for the benefit of their communities and the world. Among CAA’s programs and services are Seminar Day, Techer Alumni Tours, Distinguished Alumni Awards, Chang Prize, reunions, affinity groups, career services, and more. CAA publishes Techer alumni magazine as well as news and feature content at alumni.caltech.edu.
