Penn fourth-year Yash Rajpal named 2026-27 Luce Scholar

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Yash Rajpal, a University of Pennsylvania fourth-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Engineering & Applied Science, is one of 16 recipients selected by the Henry Luce Foundation to be a 2026-27 Luce Scholar. During the 13-month fellowship in Asia, Scholars receive stipends, language training, and an individualized professional placement that aligns with their interests.

Rajpal, from Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, is studying bioengineering and biophysics in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research, with a minor in political science. He plans to pursue an MD after completing his Luce fellowship, with the goal of becoming a pediatric physician-engineer.

At Penn, Rajpal serves as a teaching assistant for organic chemistry and calculus, and he worked to develop a super absorptive concrete composition in the Shu Yang Group.

He served on Penn’s Medical Emergency Response Team as training lieutenant, leading training sessions and responding to campus emergencies. He sat on the steering committee of the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education.

A co-recipient of the Shah Family Prize from the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Rajpal provided STEM opportunities for high school students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. At the Netter Center, he also co-coordinated the Educational Pipeline’s mentorship cohort and founded the Arduino Makerspace at three high schools.

Established in 1974, the Luce Scholars Program is a competitive leadership development fellowship that provides immersive professional experiences in Asia. Its goal is to strengthen relationships across borders by offering opportunities for the Scholars to “deepen their understanding of Asia’s countries, cultures, and people” through deep engagement with communities, “fostering lasting connections and broadening perspectives.”