5 AAPI Trailblazers Who Redefined STEM
When we think of scientific pioneers, names like Einstein, Newton, or Curie often dominate the conversation. But what about the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) visionaries who reshaped entire fields—often without recognition? Their stories are not just about discovery; they’re about resistance, cultural pride, and rewriting history.
Here are five whose legacies deserve more than a footnote.
Fazlur Rahman Khan (1929 -1982)
Photo Source: Wikipedia
Fazlur Rahman Khan, a Bangladeshi American civil engineer, revolutionized modern architecture through his innovative structural designs, earning him the title "father of tubular designs." Khan transformed skyscraper construction with his groundbreaking tubular and bundled tube systems, which allowed for taller, stronger, and more efficient high-rise buildings.
His iconic designs include Chicago’s John Hancock Center and the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, which redefined urban skylines. Khan’s philosophy emphasized empathy in engineering, as seen in his famous quote: “When thinking design, I put myself in the place of a whole building, feeling every part. In my mind, I visualize the stresses and twisting a building undergoes.”
After earning multiple degrees in the U.S., he became a naturalized citizen and worked with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, leaving a lasting legacy in structural engineering. Despite his untimely death at 52, Khan’s work continues to inspire future generations. He believed in empowering young minds to push boundaries in engineering and architecture, encouraging innovation that harmonizes creativity with functionality.
Ellison Onizuka (1946 - 1986)
Photo Source: Wikipedia
Ellison Onizuka was a pioneering Japanese American astronaut from Hawaii who made history as the first Asian American, first person of Japanese descent, and first Buddhist in space. Born in Kealakekua on the Big Island in 1946, Onizuka grew up dreaming of flight, becoming an Eagle Scout and earning degrees in aerospace engineering before joining the U.S. Air Force as a test pilot. Selected by NASA in 1978, he became part of the first diverse astronaut class of the Space Shuttle era.
His 1985 mission aboard Discovery (STS-51-C) marked a milestone for representation in space exploration. Tragically, his second flight ended with the Challenger disaster in 1986, cutting short a life dedicated to pushing boundaries.
Onizuka believed in inspiring future generations, famously saying, “Every generation has the obligation to free men’s minds for a look at new worlds...to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation.”
He hoped young people would pursue STEM fields and aim for greatness. His legacy lives on through scholarships, educational centers, and tributes like Hawaii’s Onizuka Space Center and the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. A symbol of perseverance and inclusivity, Onizuka’s life reminds us that exploration is for everyone—and that progress depends on each generation reaching higher than the last.
Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann (1937 - 2005)
Photo Source: AWIS
Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann was a Filipino-American microbiologist and botanist renowned for her research on cyanobacteria and extremophiles—organisms that thrive in extreme environments. Born in Manila, Philippines, she earned a botany degree from the University of the Philippines (1958), a Master's from Hebrew University (1966), and a PhD from Florida State University (1973), where she later collaborated with her husband, Dr. Imre Friedmann.
Her most notable contribution came during the 1970s in Antarctica's Ross Desert, where she and Friedmann discovered cryptoendolithic microorganisms embedded in Beacon sandstone. These resilient life forms, capable of surviving extreme cold and rehydrating to photosynthesize in summer, became a key reference for astrobiology, particularly in discussions about extraterrestrial life and Mars terraforming.
Their findings gained global attention when cited by NASA and journalist Walter Cronkite during the Viking 1 Mars landing (1976). Honored with an Antarctic Service Medal (1981) and a namesake peak (Friedmann Peak), she amassed over 1,000 microbial specimens from harsh environments worldwide. A professor at Florida A&M University and SETI Institute consultant, Ocampo-Friedmann’s legacy endures in extremophile research.
Dr. Isabella Abbott (1919 - 2010)
Photo Source: Stanford Report
Dr. Isabella Abbott, a Native Hawaiian scientist born in Hana, Maui, in 1919, became the world’s leading expert on Hawaiian seaweeds (or limu), making profound contributions to marine botany and ethnobotany. Her work highlighted the ecological importance of seaweed, from producing oxygen to supporting marine life and absorbing carbon emissions.
Dr. Abbott broke barriers as the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a Ph.D. in science (Botany, UC Berkeley) and the first woman of color to join Stanford’s biological sciences faculty. Later, she returned to Hawaii, where she founded an ethnobotany program at the University of Hawaii, blending scientific research with Indigenous knowledge.
She documented traditional Hawaiian uses of seaweed and promoted sustainable ocean practices, ensuring cultural preservation alongside scientific discovery. With nearly 200 publications and over 200 newly identified algae species to her name, her influence extended far beyond academia. Her legacy continues to inspire young scientists, particularly women and Native Hawaiians, to protect the environment while honoring ancestral wisdom.
Feng Zhang (1981- Present)
Photo Source: MIT Technology Review
Feng Zhang, a Chinese-American scientist, is a trailblazer in molecular biology and genome engineering. As a core member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and a professor at MIT, Zhang has revolutionized biomedical research by pioneering CRISPR-Cas9 as a genome-editing tool, enabling precise modifications to DNA in human cells.
His work has unlocked new possibilities for treating genetic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune conditions, culminating in the 2023 approval of the first CRISPR-based therapy for sickle cell disease.
Beyond CRISPR, Zhang has expanded the genetic toolbox with novel systems targeting RNA and large DNA insertions, while also developing advanced delivery methods to bring these therapies to patients. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Who’s an AAPI STEM hero you admire?
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