The AASF fellowship program builds a pipeline of legal professionals who can address the most pressing challenges facing Asian Americans and the broader research community.
The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is proud to welcome Elizabeth Zhu, a J.D. candidate at Cornell Law School, as AASF’s inaugural 2026 Summer Law Fellow through a newly established independent fellowship program. Zhu was selected through a highly competitive process that drew 117 applications from law students nationwide, with 16 candidates advancing to interviews.
“I chose AASF because I wanted to work somewhere that combines rigorous legal work with genuine community impact,” said Zhu. “The opportunity to learn from advocates who are shaping policy at both the state and federal levels was something I couldn’t pass up.”
“This fellowship is helping me bridge legal research with real-world impact,” Zhuadded. “Getting to work alongside experienced advocates on issues that matter to the Asian American community is exactly the kind of formative experience I’ll carry with me throughout my career.”
The fellowship represents the expansion of AASF’s ongoing work to strengthen the legal talent pipeline. For nearly four years, AASF partnered with the NYU US-Asia Law Institute, one of America’s preeminent academic institutes for the study of East Asian law, to develop a pipeline of legal talent equipped to tackle civil rights challenges facing Asian Americans and the broader research community.
AASF has also advanced legal education through a partnership with Seton Hall University School of Law, Professor Margaret Lewis developing a legal curriculum and engaging directly with law students to help equip the next generation of attorneys to address legal and policy challenges impacting Asian American scholars and the U.S. research ecosystem. Through targeted mentorship, educational programming, and fellowship opportunities, AASF continues to invest in preparing future attorneys to navigate complex legal and policy challenges affecting Asian American scholars, scientists, and researchers.
Elizabeth Zhu is currently pursuing her law degree at Cornell Law School, where she is actively involved in organizations including the Intellectual Property and Technology Students Association, the Business Law Society, the International Law Students Association, the Environmental Law Society, the Women’s Law Coalition, and the Women of Color Collective. Prior to law school, she earned a Master of Arts in Climate and Society from Columbia University Climate School and a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from Cornell University.
Her academic and professional background reflects a strong commitment to public service, policy, research, and community impact. Before joining AASF, Zhu led a graduate capstone project with New York City Emergency Management focused on flood protection planning and resilience strategies. She also served as a teaching assistant at Columbia University for coursework related to climate systems and environmental science.
“We’re proud to launch this independent fellowship as part of AASF’s broader commitment to strengthening the legal talent pipeline,” said Asian American Scholar Forum Executive Director Gisela Perez Kusakawa. “Elizabeth brings an impressive interdisciplinary background in law, science, and policy, along with a deep commitment to public service. We look forward to working with her this summer as she contributes to AASF’s ongoing advocacy and legal initiatives.”
AASF’s legal fellowship program reflects the organization’s continued investment in building pathways into public service and supporting future leaders dedicated to advancing fair, evidence-based policies that protect scholars, scientists, and researchers.