Alex Huang

Material Science & Engineering at Northwestern | Questbridge Scholar ’25

Jenks, Oklahoma, United States

About

I’m a freshman at Northwestern University, McCormick School of Engineering, majoring in Materials Science, with a strong interest in nanomaterials and their real-world applications. I apply engineering skills to impact-driven projects. I have experience with CAD tools, including Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks, using them to design and prototype functional solutions. Through community-based initiatives, I’ve collaborated with nonprofit organizations like Keshet to develop accessibility solutions for students with disabilities, including a locker accessibility mechanism to improve independence. I have also been involved at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to design a safer linen cart enclosure aimed at enhancing patient safety within a clinical environment for nurses. I’m driven by the challenge of translating materials science and engineering design into scalable, real-world solutions that improve performance, accessibility, and safety.

Experience

  • Undergraduate Student Researcher | Rogers Research Group at Northwestern University
    Mar 2026 - Present · 5 mos

    Designing and assembling analog circuits signal-conditional circuits using diodes and capacitors to support an implantable biosensor for in vivo heartbeat monitoring during ovine parturition

  • Project Member at TOM Tikkun Olam Makers
    Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

    Designing and prototyping an assistive locker-opening mechanism for students with limited fine motor control at Keshet (Chicago site) Developed a wearable wrist attachment that reduced reliance on finger dexterity and improved locker access for 10+ students

  • Member at Ustart Teaching
    Aug 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    Planned and coordinated Asian cultural activities and community events in collaboration with one of the six Title V commissions in the city of Tulsa, the Tulsa Asian Affairs Commission Served as a teaching assistant and summer camp coordinator for the Oklahoma Chinese Language Institute for K-12 students

  • High School Researcher at The University of Tulsa
    Aug 2024 - May 2025 · 10 mos

    Compiled and conducted a literature review for Dr. Xinxin Wang for AP Research Used a computer imaging tool called MatLab to quantify data related to the autophagy process in the research regarding Parkinson's Disease (PD)

  • Youth Leader at Youth Leadership in China
    Jul 2024 - Aug 2024 · 2 mos

    Foreign exchange between 30 U.S. high schoolers and Chinese counterparts Visited numerous university affiliated high schools, Chinese universities, and conducted dialogue with Chinese high schoolers regarding U.S.-China relations at a forum Interactions helped promote interpersonal relations with students, nurture cross-cultural understanding, and helped connect students to promote a better future between the U.S. and China