UC Berkeley alums named 2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholars

On a red background, features square portraits of 84 people, with the text "2025 Cohort: Knight-Hennessy Scholars, Stanford University above the portraits

The 2025 cohort of Knight-Hennessy scholars

May 15, 2025

Two distinguished UC Berkeley graduates have been selected as Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University, joining a distinguished cohort of 84 new scholars representing 25 countries. This prestigious fellowship awards students with "up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford while engaging in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges facing the world."

For more information about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, visit National Scholarships & Experiential Fellowships in the UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarships.

Our scholars are ready to think boldly, act wisely and humbly, and lead with purpose, helping build a better future for all of us.
John L. Hennessy, Stanford University president emeritus and the Shriram Family Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Headshot of Hannah Ousterman, person with long light brown hair wearing a dark blazer over a brown shirtHannah Ousterman 
'18 Peace and Conflict Studies

Hannah is pursuing a master’s degree in international policy at the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences, where she will specialize in energy, natural resources, and the environment. "My time at UC Berkeley cemented my desire to pursue a career in public service and provided me the framework to think critically about the United States' role in international politics. I look forward to developing new expertise at Stanford that will enable me to more effectively contribute to durable conflict resolution efforts," shared Hannah. Since graduating from UC Berkeley with highest distinction in 2018, Hannah has worked for the U.S. government on a variety of foreign policy and national security issues focused on the Middle East. Most recently, she served as an adviser to the Special Envoy for Yemen at the U.S. Department of State, supporting U.S. efforts to resolve Yemen’s domestic conflict and address the dire humanitarian situation. Following her studies at Stanford, Hannah hopes to focus on developing sustainable energy solutions in post-conflict settings to reduce the risk of recurrent conflict and improve civilians’ access to public services and economic opportunities.

My time at UC Berkeley cemented my desire to pursue a career in public service and provided me the framework to think critically about the United States' role in international politics. I look forward to developing new expertise at Stanford that will enable me to more effectively contribute to durable conflict resolution efforts.
Hannah Ousterman '18

Headshot of Sophia Tan, person with long dark hair wearing a light pink blazer with a black shirt Sophia Tan
'21 Molecular & Cell Biology
and Data Science

Sophia is pursuing an MD at Stanford School of Medicine. She is fascinated with how analytic modeling can inform more effective public health interventions to mitigate infectious diseases. She hopes to bridge perspectives in public health and medicine and spearhead research that shapes more equitable health policy and improves patient care. Sophia has led research in infectious disease epidemiology, studying the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on SARS-CoV-2 risk and transmission. Her work has been used in the US Supreme Court to demonstrate the public health importance of COVID-19 vaccination, and by the CDC to guide their recommendations for a COVID-19 immunization schedule. She previously worked with the WASH Benefits team to understand the complex impacts of environmental and biological markers on early child health.

More Knight-Hennessy scholars from UC Berkeley >>

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