More About Me
I was born and raised in the heart of San Diego, California to Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant parents. Growing up between cultures in a family where opportunities were limited taught me to see the world through many lenses and recognize the transformative power of education. As a first-generation scholar, I have always been motivated by the opportunities that education and research can open, both for myself and for others. My path has taken me from sunny Southern California to the charming East Coast, a cross-country road trip that marked the start of my PhD at MIT.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D. Candidate, Materials Science & Engineering
Minor in Mechanical Engineering
2022 – 2026 (expected)
University of California, San Diego
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Specialization in Mechanics of Materials
2018 – 2022
I am deeply grateful for the fellowships, scholarships, and grants that have supported my journey. Each one not only enabled me to pursue my education, but also shaped who I am today. Writing them here is a way of honoring the opportunities and communities that made this path possible.
I am also thankful for the honors that have recognized my academic achievements and research contributions. Each one is a reminder of the mentors, peers, and communities that have supported me along the way.
A few places where my work (and younger self) have shown up. Disclaimer: I am not liable for anything I said when I was 19.
When I’m not working, I’m usually out exploring, cooking, or hosting something.
A few snapshots with incredible people and communities I’ve been lucky to be part of!
A collection of databases, tools, and online bits I like!
Let’s chat! Feel free to reach out at rluu(at)mit.edu.
💻 GitHub · 🤗 Hugging Face · 💼 LinkedIn · 📚 Google Scholar