Architecture Student from MIT Among 2010 Gates Cambridge Scholars

Weifeng Victoria Lee (Photo: MIT)

Architecture student Weifeng Victoria Lee, MIT alumna ’06 MArch ’10, has been named a Gates Cambridge Scholar for 2010. Lee is the only scholar in the field of Architecture among the 80 Gates Cambridge scholars for 2010.

After earning an SB in art and design from MIT, with Phi Beta Kappa honors, Lee traveled to Cambridge University to pursue a master’s degree in environmental design in architecture. She returned to MIT and completed her degree in January. Lee now works with the Shelter Centre, a non-governmental organization based in Switzerland that seeks to help people affected by conflicts and natural disasters.

Lee will return to the University of Cambridge to undertake doctoral studies in sustainable building design. Building on the work she began during her master’s degree to prepare her to begin her own architectural firm, she will focus on sustainable construction for earthquake-prone regions.

MIT students have won 18 of the prestigious Gates scholarships since the program was established in 2000 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The scholarships cover tuition, room, board, travel and stipend for study at Cambridge.