Sustainable Design And Construction Program At Ashford University

When I was seventeen, my best friend passed away because of encephalopathy. I started to contemplate about the meaning of life: what could I do in my lifetime to leave my mark in this world? Many years’ studies have shaped my passion for academic research. I am eager to serve in a faculty position and bring changes to the society through my research findings. My past personal and academic experiences motivate me to apply to the Sustainable Design & Construction Program at Stanford University. My current major is statistics. Six years of studying at Wuhan University and Washington University in St. Louis have equipped me with a solid understanding of pure mathematics, statistics, and machine learning. Not satisfied with just theoretical knowledge,

I led a team to design the model that would build the most efficient solar panel house. For students who had no prior knowledge of construction and energy like me, each challenge that I had to overcome within such a short period of time was tough: simulating the best angle of solar panels to maximize energy obtained at different locations, considering different combinations of solar panels and inverters, figuring out the most efficient panel positions in the house, and using the CAD program to design the sustainable house. The large amount of new knowledge did not beat me. Rather, it raised my interest in the field of civil engineering and sustainability. I realized the urgency and necessity to improve the existing technologies and develop new ones, especially in today’s world where population is rapidly exploding, land utilization is widely exploited, and natural resources are gradually shrinking. These improvements and developments would require ample interdisciplinary knowledge. I believe my past experiences in different discipline have enabled me to adopt knowledge in other fields

As a member of the Sustainability Club, I had the opportunity to join various study groups and conferences. A speech given by Andi Phillips of Goldman Sachs on the topic of impact investing was very inspiring, and I found it exciting to incorporate social responsibilities in making decisions when constructing and investing. Furthermore, I was honored to talk to Professor Michael Lepech, who tried to create a new type of bank where the regional quality of life would include customers’ and businesses’ sustainable choices. His research provided new options for environmental sustainability, public health, and other social programs. Because of my strong interest in sustainable construction and Professor Lepech’s research, I have been working on improving my knowledge in construction and energy. With my great passion and learning ability, I believe that my strong and professional background in statistics and machine learning have well prepared me for the Sustainable Design & Construction Program at