Two Engineering Faculty Earn Applause from Women in Tech at UCI
Mo Li (left) and Xizheng Wang are recognized by Women in Technology at UCI.
March 19, 2025 - Women in Technology at UCI honored engineering faculty Mo Li and Xizheng Wang during Women’s History Month. They were among eight women on campus acknowledged through the Applause Program, in which colleagues nominate those who embody the Women in Technology motto: “Advance. Inspire. Empower. Act.”
Li, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, actively works to create a space for women in the technology field. She supports women through mentorship and professional development, guiding students through the processes of applying for fellowships, awards and professional societies. She also amplifies their presence in the broader engineering and technology community, serving in leadership roles for conferences. She has contributed to increased diversity by nominating women as keynote speakers and session chairs.
Li works in the structural engineering field where women make up 17% of professionals. Li was cited for “recognizing the systemic underrepresentation of women in structural engineering and actively recruiting and mentoring female undergraduate and graduate students to take part in research projects in her lab.” Her nominator stated that Li’s ability to combine impactful research with actionable support for women makes her a role model for inclusivity and leadership in technology.
Wang is an assistant professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering. In 2024 she was honored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with a $500,000 New Energy Innovator award for her research enabling better methods to enable scalable clean hydrogen production. During this project, she mentored a female undergraduate student, providing practical research opportunities that enabled the student to build essential skills in the emerging research area. In her classes, Wang encourages her female students to actively pursue opportunities in academia and research.
Wang’s nominator cited her as exemplifying the “empower” value, stating that “by fostering a research environment that encourages diversity, removes barriers and provides opportunities for leadership and growth, Wang enables her mentees to thrive in their endeavors. Wang not only sets a powerful example but also empowers the next generation of women leaders.”
– Cassandra Nava
