Gepeng Ding

College: College Nine

Department: Astrophysics & Politics

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? I received the 2022-2023 Deans’ Undergraduate Research Award.

What year do you expect to graduate? I graduated in the Spring 2022.

Where do you call home? Lanzhou City, China.

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? The reasons for choosing UC Santa Cruz are complex; to be honest, I have forgotten them. But the most important reason is to study astronomy, pursuing my dreams.

What is your field of focus? In astrophysics, my specialization was on exoplanets and planet formation. In politics, I focus on the political economy of development and China’s financial system.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I will be enrolling at Stanford University in Fall 2023 to continue exploring my interests in political economics and Chinese politics.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? Needless to say, answering such a question is difficult since these moments are as numerous as the stars. If I had to pick one, it would be in May of 2022, a month before I graduate. Professor Jeltema organized a lunar eclipse observation near the UCSC Music Center at that time. In the lull after the event, I stood on the stairs beside the Music Center, gazing at the brightly lit Santa Cruz below and the faintly visible Monterey Bay in the distance. At that moment, I suddenly understood what it truly meant to spend four years of undergraduate life in such a unique environment like UCSC.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Do not be afraid, do not hesitate, and do not worry about making mistakes. Try everything you want and take advantage of the university’s rich resources. Discover, discover, and discover!

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? It really was a perfect farewell to my journey at UC Santa Cruz! Even though it has been a year since I graduated, I still immerse in my undergraduate days. When I look back, I realize how far I have come. I see this scholarship as not only the end of my journey at UC Santa Cruz but also the beginning of a new one.