ZHANG Le 张乐

Mentor & Member 2016-2017

​I was born in one of seven ancient capitals of China, a perfect place to indulge yourself with beautiful traditional Chinese culture. Inside the city are bridges over flowing streams, pavilions and towers with their shadows reflected in the water. The fertile land fostered numerous scholars in our family. I am curious and optimistic, and love to interact with people of all backgrounds since childhood. My father was a great teacher and the principal of a local high school. He taught me from early on that “No one has ever become poor by giving.” My parents are my excellent role models. 

I studied Chemical Engineering in Tsinghua University. My life at Tsinghua was an eye-opening experience, enlightening me that there are many means of self-fulfillment. After obtaining a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering in US, I have been working in the Research and Development department in medical device and pharmaceutical industry. In graduate school, I served as the Chair for Women in Engineering Society. I firmly believe women can be strong and independent while being nurturing and elegant. At work, I have invented several new pharmaceutical formulations and commercialized a number of medical devices. My job also allowed me to be deeply involved in Business development. My experience of organizing a cross-functional Innovation Fair with hundreds of attendants made me realize that innovation is a key factor for success at any business aspects. 

I have always been a dedicated educator and participated in a diversity of educational and outreach programs since college years. Besides work, I enjoy shooting wedding pictures and performing Chinese traditional dance whenever time allows. My other interests include Yoga, Zumba, and interior design. “In me the tiger sniffs the rose.”