In June 2025, Kate Zhu Wenqi, a doctoral candidate originally from Shenzhen, China, represented Oxford University in winning the Leslie Fox Prize. This prize, awarded biennially by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), is considered one of the highest honors in international mathematics for scientists under 31.
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Kate Zhu Wenqi after winning the Leslie Fox Prize, June 2025. Photo: Weibo |
Kate Zhu Wenqi after winning the Leslie Fox Prize, June 2025. Photo: Weibo
Zhu comes from an academically accomplished family; her father holds a doctorate in AI and her mother studied at the University of Science and Technology of China. However, Zhu’s educational journey wasn't without its challenges. During her childhood, she suffered from chronic rhinitis, which often caused her to miss school.
Zhu's mother decided to homeschool her for two years. Acting as a mentor rather than a teacher, she encouraged Zhu’s curiosity and guided her self-discovery of knowledge, sparking Zhu's love for mathematics.
At 16, Zhu was accepted into Oxford University. After completing her master's degree in 2014, she worked for two leading investment banks, JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, in Hong Kong. Despite the high salary, she felt unfulfilled.
"I wasn't happy. I cried every day after work because of the pressure. During those times, I would turn to math problems. After solving a problem, I would stop crying," Zhu explained. Realizing her true passion lay in mathematics, Zhu left her lucrative job to return to Oxford. She pursued a second master's degree in mathematical modeling and graduated with the highest score in her class.
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Zhu receiving her master's degree from Oxford University, UK, in March 2022. Photo: Weibo |
Zhu receiving her master's degree from Oxford University, UK, in March 2022. Photo: Weibo
In March 2022, a video of Zhu receiving her master's degree from Oxford went viral. Instead of congratulations, she faced a wave of harsh criticism. Many questioned the authenticity of her degree, arguing that her attractive appearance and fashionable lifestyle were incompatible with academic excellence.
"Does posting selfies equate to being a poor student? It's time to break this stereotype," Zhu responded.
She publicly shared an email from her professor congratulating her on her achievements and solved a challenging math problem posed by a skeptical online user in just an hour. However, many remained unconvinced, accusing her of fabricating her accomplishments for social media attention.
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Alongside her research, Zhu shares photos of herself with her 1.7 million followers on social media. Photo: Weibo |
Alongside her research, Zhu shares photos of herself with her 1.7 million followers on social media. Photo: Weibo
Faced with escalating criticism, Zhu chose to remain silent. She maintained a disciplined daily routine, sleeping 5.5 hours a day and meticulously managing her time. For Zhu, a passion for mathematics and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle are not mutually exclusive.
"I want to inspire others. Even changing the perceptions of a few people is worthwhile," she affirmed. "When you are strong enough, you won't be afraid of criticism."
After completing her doctoral program next November, Zhu will remain at Oxford to conduct research with a salary of approximately 400,000 te. She has also expressed her desire to return to her homeland to contribute in the future.
Minh Phuong (Sohu, Guangzhou Daily)
