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"They'll investigate global issues that overlap disciplines, an example of which is environmental-related issues, and in the process broaden perspectives and form relationships and contacts that will aid them later in the larger world. "I wish such a program existed when I joined Caltech as an international graduate student in 1981, coming from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay — I would have loved to participate in it." — Pratim Biswas, Stifel & Quinette Jens Professor of Environmental Engineering Science, is a member of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy Steering Committee, and Ambassador to the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
"The purposes of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy match my interests and long-term career goals. The aspiration to apply my knowledge and research to human health excites me whenever it comes to my mind. "I will contribute to the McDonnell International Scholars Academy not only what I obtained from past experiences, but also what I am absorbing from ongoing studies... I believe I will learn how to create a global network, to collaborate with people in different professions, and to solve important world problems." Chua plans to take advantage of Washington University's resources and particularly enjoys the Olin Library on the Danforth Campus and the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center on the Medical Campus. "I like their modern style, convenience, and accessibility for students... I feel welcome and comfortable on both campuses. It really is awesome!"
"The McDonnell Academy will provide an intellectually stimulating environment for me. It will also help me build bonds with people from other countries, benefitting both my professional career and my country. Her enthusiasm will help her overcome obstacles. "The biggest culture shock thus far is that walking cannot get me very far in the States. I need a car and I need to know how to drive!" It did not take her long, however, to find her favorite spot on Washington University's campus, where she says the Olin Library is a beautiful atmosphere in which to seek quality quiet time. "This program is a great opportunity for me to step outside of my scientific field in order to understand the needs of the world from a different perspective... My unique cultural background will bring diversity into the Academy. I am also confident that McDonnell Scholars will benefit from each other mutually since we are all willing to learn from each other."
She says she values the network that being part of the Academy has created. "I want to be able to stay connected and continue to share our experiences and learnings throughout our careers as we pursue various issues that we are passionate about. More and more issues will be more global in nature; to find the best solutions we must operate with the understanding of the impacts and involvement of other countries and utilize the resources of talented women and men around the world who share the same outlook on the importance of interconnectedness." As the Nestlé Purina PetCare Fellow, she says, "I have started my role as Sustainability Intern at Nestlé Purina PetCare and have been allowed to explore my passion for sustainable development." For the summer, she was able to "work on understanding the emergence and signifi-cance of the new environmental sustainability wave and the opportunities it presents."
"Chemistry enables me to understand energy and environment problems in the world, which are also part of the focus of the Academy," she says. "Through my years in the Academy, I hope to learn to think in a multicultural, multidisciplinary perspective, learn to interact with people from different backgrounds, build connections among both senior experts and intelligent young people, and strengthen the friendship between Peking University and Washington University." Zhang's goal is to open a pharmaceutical company in China, and she says her friendships with students in other areas of study are important. "The interaction between Scholars is very helpful. We are studying in different majors, including science, engineering, social science, business, and law. There will certainly be chances for us to help each other."
Born in Tokyo, Kato graduated from Walt Whitman High School in Maryland, then returned to Tokyo in 1992 to begin his medical studies at the University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine. After completing an anesthesiology residency at Teikyo University Ichihara Hospital in Chiba, Japan, he came to St. Louis in 2001 for an internal medicine residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "Medical malpractice is becoming much more common in Japan," he says. "It used to be that you would have one family doctor you saw for your entire life. Medicine in Japan is becoming more Westernized, and with the large amount of specialists comes an increasing amount of malpractice lawsuits." So he decided to pursue his law degree, developing a special interest in bioethics and health care policy. Kato plans to return to the School of Medicine as an attending physician and work in general medicine at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. "I truly enjoy staying in St. Louis, but eventually, I hope to go back to Tokyo and contribute to Japanese health care," he says. Homayun Darmangar, M.D., traveled to St. Louis from his native Afghanistan to complete a fellowship in orthopedic surgery. "I have seen many cases with different surgeons here," he says. "Although the operating room facilities and equipment here are much different from what we have in our hospitals, I tried to focus on cases not so dependent on high tech, cases with practical implications in our set-up." He has benefited from "learning new skills in orthopedic surgery, making good ties and friendship with colleagues for future collaborations, learning about American culture, and representing Balkh University. "I'd be more than glad to help the Academy with its future programs in Afghanistan."
"I believe that joining McDonnell International Scholars Academy is the natural step for me, both professionally and ideologically," he says. "This is first and foremost because the Academy's program fosters leadership with an emphasis on social responsibility. I'm excited to discuss ideas about creating change with fellow students who come from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. As they share my passion for leading change, together we'll be able to explore new ways of thinking and how to enact them. "America's rich academic life--from applicable research to liberal arts research--and its connection with the corporate world and society are some of the main engines of America's economic growth. Washington University has good connections with Israeli universities, and I believe I can contribute by strengthening its connections with the Israeli corporate world."
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"The McDonnell International Scholars Academy gives future world leaders, top graduate students doing state-of-the-art research, a formalized opportunity to interact, discuss, and learn with those from other universities, cultures, and disciplines, as well as with faculty and mentors from business and government.
Wei-Jen Chua is a graduate of National Taiwan University and is pursuing a PhD in immunology at Washington University. 
An-Chun Chien comes from the National University of Singapore and plans to earn a PhD in molecular cell biology at Washington University.
Karavikar Svetasreni, from Bangkok, Thailand, is pursuing dual master's degrees in business and in social work, which appealed to her interest in the role of business in development. 
Ziyan Zhang, from Beijing, China, is pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry at Washington University. 
Ryotaro Kato, M.D., earned his J.D. degree from the Washington University School of Law in May 2007, becoming the first McDonnell Academy Scholar to graduate from the University. 
Moshe Barak, who was born and raised in Israel, comes from a background in operational management. A project manager and process analyst for Israel's largest bank, he is studying at Olin Business School for his MBA and has moved here with his wife and children.