Fujio Matsuda, born in Honolulu to Japanese immigrant parents, had a remarkable career. He earned a civil engineering degree from Rose Polytechnic Institute and a PhD from MIT. In 1962, he became the director of the State Department of Transportation, overseeing major expansions in transportation infrastructure. In 1974, Matsuda was appointed the ninth president of the University of Hawaii, making him the first Asian-American president of a major US university.
Isabella Aiona Abbott was the first native Hawaiian woman to earn a Ph.D. in science (botany). During her career as an ethnobotanist, a scientist who studies the interaction of humans and plants, she published over 150 journal articles and wrote eight books. Abbott is most famously known for her expertise in Pacific algae.
Ven Te Chow, a renowned professor of civil and hydrosystems engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, made significant contributions to the field of hydrology and water resources development. Born in Hangchow, China, in 1919, he obtained his academic degrees from esteemed institutions and joined the faculty at UIUC in 1948. Chow’s notable achievements include the development of a watershed experimentation system that simulated storms in the laboratory, pioneering the field of watershed hydraulics. Chow received numerous awards, including membership in prestigious organizations like the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Steven Chu is an American physicist and was the 12th U.S. secretary of energy. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and traces his ancestry to Jiangsu, China. He served as U.S. energy secretary from January 2009 to April 2013, and was a strong proponent of nuclear power and renewable energy.
Shakuntala A Bhagat, the first Indian woman to earn a civil engineering degree from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, made significant contributions in bridge engineering. Alongside her husband, Anirudha S Bhagat, they developed the pioneering total systems approach, utilizing standardized modular parts for bridge construction across various types. Their patented prefabricated modular design led to the establishment of their bridge construction firm, Quadricon, in 1970. Shakuntala’s expertise and research extended internationally, working on numerous bridge projects worldwide. Their innovative technology gained recognition and trust despite initial challenges in obtaining investment. To date, they have designed over 200 Quadricon steel bridges, leaving a lasting impact in the field of civil engineering.
