Five individuals affiliated with Princeton University have been selected as Schwarzman Scholars and will participate in a one-year, fully funded master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The recipients include current students Margaret Miao and Alex Tseng from the Class of 2026, as well as recent alumni Gustavo Blanco-Quiroga, Kalena Blake, and Alison Lee.
The group is part of this year’s cohort of 150 Schwarzman Scholars chosen from over 5,800 applicants worldwide, representing 40 countries and 83 universities. According to the scholarship announcement, “Schwarzman Scholars alumni have demonstrated immense leadership capacity, trailblazing in a number of industries and collaborating to tackle pressing issues all around the world.”
Gustavo Blanco-Quiroga graduated from Princeton in 2025 with a degree in sociology and certificates in entrepreneurship and Latin American studies. He is originally from Oruro, Bolivia, and is of Indigenous Aymara heritage. His research addresses how Indigenous communities influence environmental policy and development. Blanco-Quiroga wrote in his application essay: “The Schwarzman Scholarship is the bridge I need: immersion in China, access to leading scholars, and a global cohort committed to governance innovation.” He aims for a career in environmental law and public office in Bolivia.
During his time at Princeton, Blanco-Quiroga co-founded the Uru-Uru Team to help restore Lake Uru Uru using Indigenous knowledge. He also held several leadership roles on campus including co-president of Natives at Princeton and class senator for Undergraduate Student Government. His experience includes internships with World Wildlife Fund and Helion SPS.
Kalena Blake graduated from Princeton in 2024 with a degree in public and international affairs. She currently works as a research assistant at the Center for a New American Security and has previous experience as a strategy analyst at Deloitte. In her application essay she stated that the scholarship will be “essential for understanding how global challenges can be addressed collaboratively” while strengthening her ability to “navigate complex geopolitical challenges, not only as a policymaker but as someone committed to elevating overlooked perspectives.”
At Princeton, Blake was managing editor of The Daily Princetonian newspaper and captain of the women’s lightweight rowing team. She also interned with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s office.
Alison Lee graduated from Princeton in 2024 with a degree in computer science along with minors related to entrepreneurship and technology-society studies. She said the scholarship will be “pivotal” for advancing female entrepreneurship globally: “I particularly hope to learn more about what conditions in China allow for female entrepreneurs to thrive,” she wrote.
Lee founded FemaleFounded—an undergraduate conference supporting female entrepreneurs—and served as president of Business Today at Princeton. She currently works as an associate consultant at Boston Consulting Group.
Margaret Miao is majoring in mechanical and aerospace engineering while pursuing minors that support her interests in biotechnology. Her goal is to use the Schwarzman Scholarship experience to enhance equitable healthcare access through policy-technology bridges: “By bridging policy and technology, I aim to learn how to improve equitable healthcare in China and expand these approaches to the United States,” Miao wrote.
Miao holds fellowships such as the TIME initiative fellowship at Academy for Health and Lifespan Research; she has conducted research both on campus under Professor Daniel Cohen’s supervision as well as during summer positions including Harvard School of Engineering.
Alex Tseng majors in electrical/computer engineering with additional studies focused on computer science/sustainable energy. He has received two Shapiro Prizes for Academic Excellence at Princeton. In his application essay he stated that he aims toward “continuing to lead innovation and change for a more affordable, accessible, clean electricity system.”
Tseng leads WattOur—a company providing intelligent grid services—and serves on boards including Orange Key Tour Guides Association plus student energy groups on campus.
All five scholars are expected to begin their studies this August.
