Ming Hsieh

Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Title: From Rural Northeastern China to the American National Academy of Engineering: The Transformative Journey of a Young Boy Empowered by Interdisciplinary Electrophysics & Electrical Systems Education

This seminar traces the transformative journey of Ming Hsieh, from his early education in rural Northeastern China to becoming a distinguished member of the American National Academy of Engineering. Hsieh’s passion for engineering began at the age of 14 in 1970, deeply influenced by his father, an electrical engineer and scientist, who was dedicated to bringing electricity to rural villages in Northern China. Beginning his studies in Semiconductor Physics/Devices at Southern China University of Technology in 1978, Hsieh shifted his academic focus after transferring to the University of Southern California (USC) in 1981. Under the mentorship of Professor Kurt Lehovec in the Electrical Engineering (EE) Electrophysics group, Hsieh integrated the disciplines of electrophysics and electrical systems. This interdisciplinary education laid the foundation for his professional career, where he pioneered innovations at the intersection of physics and systems. His work, ranging from deploying large-scale biometric systems to accelerating breakthroughs in biomedical research and cancer therapeutics, demonstrates the transformative power of a unified approach to engineering and science. Through his story, Hsieh exemplifies how a robust, interdisciplinary education can lead to groundbreaking advancements with a global impact.