Jennifer Fox, National Geographic
Shu Yang, Joseph Bordogna Professor in Materials Science and Engineering, has been recognized as one of National Geographic’s 33 Extraordinary Changemakers who are creating a better future for the planet. Fellow honorees include actress Michelle Yeoh, endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, Africa’s first chief heat officer in Sierra Leone Eugenia Kargbo, and more.
Today, National Geographic announced the launch of the National Geographic 33, a prestigious new list celebrating 33 extraordinary individuals whose transformative ideas and relentless determination are creating a more sustainable future for our planet. The inaugural list includes a diverse group of changemakers — scientists, innovators, artists, entrepreneurs and advocates — whose collective efforts span various fields from environmental conservation and climate action to social justice and public health. The honorees have displayed exceptional leadership, offering fresh solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Yang has been named to the list for her pioneering work in biomimicry, a field dedicated to finding innovative solutions to global problems by studying and emulating patterns in the natural world. Yang’s research has provided groundbreaking approaches to sustainable technologies, materials and processes, all aimed at addressing environmental and societal issues. Her recognition is also a reflection of her commitment to mentoring the next generation of innovators.
“Achievements such as these testify to the innovative, interdisciplinary research our faculty at Penn Engineering pursue every day,” said Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics. “Shu has been a changemaker in her field from the moment she joined Penn. She is pushing the boundaries of materials science and chemistry to create new products by combining her ingenious engineering mindset with her passion to contribute to more sustainable practices in energy sourcing and storing. I am thrilled to see her breakthrough recognized by National Geographic in this way.”
“It is an incredible honor to be one of the very few scientists recognized on this prestigious list,” said Yang. “As an engineer, it is my dream to make a meaningful impact on the world, and as a teacher and mentor, there is nothing more rewarding than inspiring my students to uncover nature’s wonders and synthesize new knowledge to solve real-world problems.”
Yang joins an esteemed group of honorees, including actor, advocate and entrepreneur Jason Momoa; actress, singer and philanthropist Selena Gomez; outdoor adventurer Pattie Gonia; professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones; Freetown, Sierra Leone, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr; and many more. These individuals, among many others, were selected through an extensive nomination and vetting process by National Geographic’s editors, contributors and staff.
“For more than 137 years, National Geographic has been driven by the belief that bold thinking and collective action can change the world,” said Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Content. “Since then and across all our platforms, National Geographic has believed in the power of visual storytelling to spark curiosity and inspire a deeper connection to our world. National Geographic 33 represents an exciting milestone for us, as it embodies the very essence of our brand — sharing the stories of extraordinary individuals whose work is making a meaningful impact in the hope of inspiring others to help shape a better future.”
“With the National Geographic 33, we’re honoring a diverse group of changemakers, from all over the world and different walks of life, who aren’t just recognizing the urgent challenges of our time, they are taking action to address them,” said Nathan Lump, SVP and editor-in-chief of National Geographic. “In shining a light on them and their contributions, we hope to elevate their work and showcase to a wide audience the positive impact they’re making.”
Read National Geographic’s piece on Shu Yang here and view the full list of honorees here.