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Two from MIT named 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars

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May 18, 2026
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Two from MIT named 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars
MIT's Sunshine Jiang and Rupert Li have been chosen as 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars, receiving up to three years of graduate funding at Stanford University. Jiang, a leader in robotics and AI, and Li, an accomplished mathematics researcher, add this prestigious fellowship to their roster of honors.

Two from MIT named 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Two accomplished MIT students, Sunshine Jiang ’25 and Rupert Li ’24, have been selected as 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars. This distinction offers them up to three years of financial backing to pursue graduate studies at Stanford University.

Meet the Scholars

Sunshine Jiang

Originating from Hangzhou, China, Sunshine Jiang graduated in 2025 from MIT with dual bachelor's degrees in physics and electrical engineering and computer science, along with minors in mathematics and economics. In addition to receiving her Master of Engineering this spring, she will embark on a PhD in computer science at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Jiang specializes in embodied artificial intelligence and robotics. Her research focuses on creating adaptive, data-efficient systems for versatile robots, making robotics more accessible. She has presented at leading conferences such as the Conference on Robot Learning and the International Conference on Robotics and Automation. Outside academia, Jiang has spearheaded initiatives ranging from AI tools for rural classrooms to promoting STEM education for girls, and even produced a Covid-19 documentary featured by China Daily.

Rupert Li

Rupert Li, from Portland, Oregon, graduated from MIT in 2024 with a double major in mathematics and computer science, as well as economics and data science. He later obtained a master’s in mathematics from the University of Cambridge as a Marshall Scholar, and he is now working towards a PhD in mathematics at Stanford’s School of Humanities and Sciences.

Li’s academic interests cover probability, discrete geometry, and combinatorics. Dedicated to fostering talent, he has mentored high school and undergraduate math research students through programs like MIT PRIMES-USA and the Duluth REU. His awards include the Hertz Fellowship, P.D. Soros Fellowship, Goldwater Scholarship, and he earned an honorable mention for the Frank and Brennie Morgan Prize.

Jiang and Li join a distinguished group of MIT recipients who have been recognized for their academic excellence and commitment to making impactful contributions in their fields.

To read the original article, visit MIT News.

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