Yue Yuan, a doctoral student in the Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division at KAUST under the mentorship of Prof. Mario Lanza, recently represented the university at the Asian Deans’ Forum – Rising Stars Women in Engineering. This workshop, organized by leading engineering schools across Asia, brought together exceptional young female scholars to explore women’s leadership, career trajectories, and the evolving landscape of engineering disciplines.

A Rising Star in Engineering

During the forum, Yue had the opportunity to engage with top scientists such as Prof. Bin Liu, Prof. Silvija Gradečak-Garaj, and Prof. Ruina Xu. Reflecting on the experience, Yue shared her insights:

“The discussions highlighted the importance of building strong communication and collaboration skills as pillars of effective leadership. One key takeaway was learning to balance academic responsibilities with family roles early on. Many speakers emphasized that young women scientists must not feel overwhelmed by the dual demands of career and family. Seeking support from universities, society, partners, and family members is vital—and there is no shame in asking for help.

Another key lesson was staying focused on long-term goals rather than postponing them due to ultra-demanding routines.”

Prof. Mario Lanza, Yue’s advisor, commented on her achievements:

“Yue is the kind of student every professor dreams of. She is highly responsive, diligent, and precise, delivering remarkable results week after week. Her communication skills are exemplary, and she rivals the very best students I worked with during my time at Stanford University. Her success reflects her ability to absorb and apply guidance, distinguishing her as a true rising star in engineering.”

The Moneyball of Scientific Talent

Yue’s potential wasn’t discovered by conventional methods. Instead, it can be identified through Web of Talents (WOT), an innovative platform developed by Prof. Lanza. Inspired by the Moneyball approach in baseball, WOT evaluates young researchers based on transparent, merit-based criteria, including video presentations of their work.

In the same way, Billy Beane redefined baseball scouting by focusing on undervalued talent, WOT shifts the spotlight from institutional prestige to individual merit.

Prof. Lanza explained “Web of Talents is revolutionizing how we assess and discover talent. Unlike traditional rankings, which offer little insight into individual capabilities, WOT allows us to evaluate students and postdocs based on clear performance metrics. Yue didn’t come from one of China’s top-tier universities before joining KAUST. Without WOT, her exceptional potential might have gone unnoticed. But through this platform, we were able to recognize and nurture her talent—and she has far exceeded expectations.”

Lanza concluded with a nod to Moneyball “As Michael Lewis wrote, ‘The pleasure of rooting for Goliath is that you can expect to win. The pleasure of rooting for David is that, while you don’t know what to expect, you stand a chance of being inspired.’ Yue’s journey is a testament to the power of looking beyond the surface to uncover extraordinary talent.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Yue Yuan’s success story is a shining example of how mentorship, determination, and innovative talent discovery methods can pave the way for exceptional achievements. She not only represents the future of engineering but also embodies the transformative impact of investing in untapped potential.