吴尚伟需要重新设定。

2021年，他在班上中途从钻石酒吧高中毕业。 A self-proclaimed “okay” student, Wu knew he had potential, but he hadn’t yet found the key to unlock it. At 佩珀代因大学, he discovered a fresh start and a clear path forward: a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics with a minor in advanced data science. 这正是他一直在寻找的新的开始。

在接下来的四年里，吴的世界发生了变化。

As he rose through college, a revolutionary technology burst onto the scene: large language model AI systems that would open doors of opportunity to those willing to study their capabilities and harness their power. 吴就是其中之一。 One after another—a spark of passion, a wise mentor, and problems were introduced, researched, solved for the betterment of humanity.

Now in 2025, four years after his new beginning, Wu has graduated from 西维尔大学 as 佩珀代因大学’s 第一位罗德奖学金获得者, in addition to his many other titles such as valedictorian, 戈德华特学者, 计算机研究协会（CRA）奖获得者, and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) scholar. He has been admitted to the nation’s top-ranked computer science PhD program at Stanford University, but first he will head to Oxford University to begin his graduate studies.

While this total transformation may seem extraordinary to some, Wu sees it as a natural outcome of the research process—one grounded in dedication, hard work, collaboration, and curiosity that he first encountered during his first year at Pepperdine.

第一步：找到自己的激情所在

“我来佩珀代因大学的时候完全是瞎的，”吴解释说。 “I just wanted to get involved in research however I could.”

吴尚恩来佩珀代因大学是为了寻找激情。 During his first year, he found one.

Wu enrolled at 西维尔大学 with a music scholarship to play the tuba in the Pepperdine Orchestra—a unique opportunity that did not require him to study the fine arts. Unfettered by financial constraints and free to pick from the broad array of academic disciplines offered at the Malibu-based, liberal arts institution, his decision was influenced by the University’s abundant research offerings.

An R2大学 with a 在吸引本科生进行有意义的研究方面享有很高的声誉, Pepperdine offered the young man from Chino Hills the chance to pursue his curiosity.

“On the first day of my intro-level computer science class, my professor explained how he had used artificial intelligence (AI) to predict strokes,” says Wu. “At the time, I didn’t even know what AI was beyond just a cool buzzword. But as I looked more into my professor's work, I saw that his research with AI in the medical field touched so many different diseases. It was like my professor turned into a superhero in the middle of class.”

Inspired by the impactful reach of AI research, Wu began to orient his studies around this new fascination. He applied to become a summer fellow at the 凯克数据科学研究所 on campus and took part in any research project that involved AI. Whether it was helping biologists classify plant cells or 训练大型学习模型以更好地处理详细的医学术语, Wu was all in.

Through these experiences, he learned how to break up complex topics into a three-part research process. 一：确定一个非常具体的问题。 二：阅读现有文献。 第三：通过反复测试发现解决方案。 Repeat until the question has been answered.

Using this process, Wu began to share his findings in 学术刊物. His 第一篇期刊文章 was published in 2022. 第二年，他又出版了六本。 And in 2024, he authored a staggering 10 articles in peer-reviewed publications. As an undergraduate, his work has been featured in prestigious journals such as 新英格兰医学杂志 and has been cited 167 times to date.

“佩珀代因使学生很容易过渡到研究，”吴说。 “这对我来说不像是工作。 我期待着这些项目。”

第二步：寻找导师

Wu discovered a passion and learned how to take action on his ideas at the very start of his Pepperdine career. But in order to understand how far he could take the research process, he needed a mentor.

Fabien Scalzo, an associate professor of computer science at 西维尔大学 and a prolific researcher, was named director of Pepperdine’s 凯克数据科学研究所 in 2021, which he launched with a clear mission: to use the power of AI for the betterment of humanity—the same goal that also defines his own scholarship where he focuses on applying computer science to solve complex medical challenges.

Scalzo expounded on this objective in his classroom, and its message resonated with a first-year student looking to get involved in problem solving. A partnership emerged between the established scholar and Sean Wu, a burgeoning talent.

“这就是一切，”吴这样描述他的导师的影响。 “He provided opportunities for me, as well as new problems to solve. Dr. Scalzo showed me that you can use AI research to save lives through medicine.”

The work of their first summer together, which was funded by the Keck summer fellows program, involved using AI to study glaucoma and cataracts. This initial project spun into three years of collaborating over a variety of projects. The pair formed a genuine professor/student bond and went on to publish 11 scientific papers together.

吴在西维尔学院遇到了达纳·达德利和法比安·斯卡尔佐这样的导师。

斯卡尔佐说：“过去四年与肖恩一起工作是一种真正的祝福。 “在课堂上，他每次上课都准备充分。 In research, Sean worked hard and learned quickly. He was also very receptive to feedback and, at the same time, explored new, promising ideas on his own. What I found impressive and inspiring was his ability to connect with others and his commitment to helping them both in the classroom and through research projects.”

在导师的鼓励和指导下，吴的能力得到了拓展。 He was no longer just passionate about the work, but was now able to venture out on his own and explore the world of research for himself.

“现在，我可以找到自己的项目了，”吴说。 “Most of the recent research is defined by my curiosity. But, in the beginning, it was super important that Dr. Scalzo and my other mentors opened something up for me.”

第三步：解决更多的问题

Sean Wu’s next steps beyond Pepperdine focus on the singular goal of solving more problems to benefit others. Through his Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, Wu plans to keep expanding his research agenda.

After becoming a Keck Summer Research Fellow and earning his initial publications, he applied for a Barry 戈德华特学者ship, a program that identifies and supports undergraduates pursuing careers in research. Only 8 percent of Goldwater applicants are chosen for the award. 2023年，吴是入选的一员。

He followed up this feat by being named an honorable mention selection to the CRA’s Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award list—an achievement that distinguished him as one the country’s exceptional computer science majors.

With these two major achievements, Wu knew he had a chance to earn a Rhodes Scholarship—one of the most competitive and prestigious awards an undergraduate can receive. With a CV full of diverse research publications and a series of national honors, the Seaver College student applied for the opportunity with one goal in mind: change the world for the better.

“I am beyond excited to receive the Rhodes Scholarship,” said Wu immediately after receiving word of his success. “It’s an achievement I never imagined in my life, and a privilege to join some of the world’s leading scholars in fighting the world's fights.”

然而，他并没有就此止步。 Wu doubled down and applied for and received a prestigious NSF GRFP grant alongside his admission into the Computer Science PhD program at Stanford.

尽管取得了这些成功，但吴坚持认为他的目标并没有改变。 Of course, he’ll focus on growing his network as a Rhodes Scholar and beyond. Sure, he will earn more notable grants to help fund the work. But all that comes from following the process—engaging with the problems—discovering the solutions.

“我只是想学习如何成为一名优秀的研究人员，”吴说。 “My dream, right now, is just to be a good AI researcher.”