Tianlu Yuan

PROFILE: Tianlu Yuan was there at the beginning: the Foundation’s inaugural Young Scholars Program. The native of China who was raised in Nebraska was awarded a College Scholarship in 2006. A long way from Nanjing (6,915 miles to Omaha to be exact), Tianlu’s journey to become a world-renowned physicist is just beginning. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Stanford in June, Tianlu will be attending the University of Colorado, recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top graduate programs for physics. Being at the top of his class at a first-tier institution is nothing new for Tianlu. Following his junior year of high school at Creighton Prep in Omaha, Tianlu scored a perfect grade on the ACT college preparatory exam, one of only a handful of US students to accomplish that feat.  Tianlu only became interested in physics as his life’s calling late in high school. Then he quickly realized his ability to perform the most intricate scientific research—a skill that will serve him well in the years to come.

INSPIRATION: Several people and one organization inspire Tianlu on a daily basis. The first is the Foundation, which Tianlu credits for allowing him to succeed both academically, and in life. Next, he credits his parents for their guidance. Lastly, Tianlu is indebted to many of his high school teachers for believing in him, and helping him to believe in himself.

ASPIRATION: Tianlu hopes to one day answer many questions about secrets of the universe with which physicists cope each day in laboratories worldwide. “Physics is our best attempt at modeling the phenomenon of nature . . . Physics attempts to solve my childhood questions. With that, they bring along more questions that need to be resolved, as well as a deeper sense of the mysterious beauty of nature.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Tianlu is proud of his academic maturity throughout his college career. “However, it's not that I pride myself in getting good grades, but that I've matured enough to recognize the importance of taking every opportunity seriously and trying to seize that opportunity.” 

ACCOLADES: Tianlu was named a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist, and was also a National Merit Finalist. At Stanford, he consistently earned honors recognition and while in secondary school in Nebraska, he was named to the Omaha World Herald All-Academic Team.

INTERESTING FACT: While in high school, Tianlu ventured to China on a trip to study Buddhism. As the only member of the entourage who spoke Chinese, he became the de facto group leader.