Four students from MIT stand out in 2025 as Rhodes Scholars, a symbol of academic excellence and social commitment. These laureates, carrying bold ambitions, embody the values of innovation, enlightened leadership, and responsibility. Their journey, marked by impressive achievements, propels them to the University of Oxford for a promising future. Each scholar, through significant contributions in areas such as AI, education, and renewable energy, exemplifies an unwavering will to transform the world.
Yiming Chen, Wilhem Hector, Anushka Nair, and David Oluigbo, distinguished students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have received the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for the academic year 2025. These future leaders will engage in postgraduate studies funded at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Yiming Chen
Originally from Beijing, Yiming Chen has been elected as one of the four Rhodes Scholars from China. She will begin studies in engineering, focusing on the safety and reliability of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical workflows. After graduating from MIT in 2024, Chen contributed to several projects combining machine learning and health, notably through the development of medical imaging techniques.
Chen’s involvement extends to collaboration with IBM Research, where she developed a neural framework for the precise segmentation of lumas in intravascular ultrasounds. She has also worked with Cleanlab, a startup founded at MIT, to ensure the integrity of image datasets. Her educational commitment earned her an excellence teaching award, the result of her role as a tutor in the math and engineering departments at MIT.
Wilhem Hector
Wilhem Hector, a mechanical engineering student from Port-au-Prince, has been chosen for the global Rhodes Scholarship. This pioneer, the first Haitian citizen to receive this distinction, plans to specialize at Oxford in energy systems and education, with a particular focus on social and digital change. His ambition lies in developing renewable energy infrastructures in Haiti.
His experience at MIT has been marked by research on wind energy production, conducted at the Howland Lab. Hector has also been a key player in launching the Renewable Energy Clinic, where his analyses of opposition to energy projects have enriched the dialogue on renewable energies. As a co-founder of the Hector Foundation, he has raised over $80,000 to fund educational initiatives in Haiti.
Anushka Nair
A student from Portland, Anushka Nair is preparing to earn her degrees in computer science and engineering next spring. She has been selected to pursue a DPhil at the Oxford Internet Institute, focusing on developing ethical AI technologies in response to crucial societal issues such as misinformation. Her research, at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ethics, aims to design fact-checking tools based on language models.
Nair has also interned at the United Nations General Assembly Office, integrating technological solutions to promote AI. Her work at Tesla, focused on energy resource management and sustainability, has earned her several accolades, including the title of scholar of social and ethical responsibilities in computing.
David Oluigbo
David Oluigbo, originally from Washington, specializes in artificial intelligence and decision-making, with a minor in cognitive and brain sciences. At Oxford, he will pursue an MSc in applied digital health, followed by an MSc in modeling for global health. His ambition is to explore AI applications to address medical challenges in low-income countries.
His research at MIT has been enriching, particularly through projects on neuroimaging, conducted at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research. Oluigbo has designed machine learning models to detect neuroendocrine tumors, thus becoming the first author of a publication at an international conference. His versatility is also reflected in his engagement in volunteer activities at MIT-EMS.
Each of these students illustrates exceptional potential and a determination to contribute to meaningful transformations in their respective fields. The Rhodes Scholarship represents not only an opportunity for academic excellence but also a springboard toward large-scale projects. For more information on the Rhodes Scholarships, visit this link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the names of the four MIT students designated as Rhodes Scholars in 2025?
The students are Yiming Chen, Wilhem Hector, Anushka Nair, and David Oluigbo.
Why is the Rhodes Scholarship considered prestigious?
The Rhodes Scholarship allows selected students to pursue fully funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford, offering exceptional academic recognition and personal development opportunities.
What fields of study do the MIT Rhodes Scholars plan to pursue at Oxford?
Yiming Chen will pursue studies in engineering, Wilhem Hector will focus on energy systems and education, Anushka Nair will study social data science, and David Oluigbo will delve into applied digital health and modeling for global health.
What initiatives have been taken to support these students in their application?
They were supported by Associate Dean Kim Benard and the Distinguished Scholarships team in career services, with additional mentoring from the Presidential Committee on Distinguished Scholarships.
What academic achievements contributed to the selection of these students?
The laureates demonstrated exceptional skills through their research, engineering projects, contributions to startups, and significant community engagements, which strengthened their applications.
How does the Rhodes Scholarship impact the career paths of the laureates?
The scholarship provides an international network of leaders, access to top academic resources, and professional opportunities, which can greatly influence their future charitable and professional development.
Are there specific criteria for applying to the Rhodes Scholarship?
Candidates must have an excellent academic record, demonstrate leadership qualities, and have aspirations that align with the values of the scholarship, particularly through their commitment to solving global challenges.
How do Rhodes Scholars at MIT stand out in their field?
These students distinguish themselves through their innovation in research, their involvement in social and environmental projects, and their ability to address complex problems in a multidisciplinary manner.
