Beyond the Bios: Meet Your CUAFA EC Members
CUAFA EC Members: Drs. Shan Zha, Qin Gao, Anette Wu, Yiping Han, and Anil Lalwanil
As CUAFA continues to grow into a vibrant community of hundreds of members across Columbia’s campuses, it’s not always easy to put faces to names, especially when our work spans so many schools, departments, and disciplines. We asked a few CUAFA EC members to answer some light-hearted questions so you can get to know them a little better.
Q: What drew you to join the CUAFA Executive Committee?
Anette: to supprt Asian female faculty members.
Shan: to help and build a community.
Anil: to advance and support Asian faculty.
Q: In three words, describe your leadership style.
Anette: collaborative, attentive, supportive
Qin: inspirational, authentic, team-building
Anil: visionary, empowering, empathetic
Yiping: diligent, conscientious, attention to detail
Shan: transformational, servant, strategic
Q: If you had a personal slogan or motto, what would it be?
Anette: Don't be discouraged.
Qin: See the Light. Be the Light.
Anil: Carpe diem.
Yiping: Make things happen.
Shan: There's no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit. - on Ronald Reagan's desk.
Q: What's one thing you'd love to see CUAFA achieve this year?
Anil: Increased direct engagement of membership in the mission of CUAFA.
Yiping: Continue to bring the community together.
Shan: Support and rebuild faith and belonging in Columbia, especially with junior members and trainees.
Anette: Create support for women Asian faculty.
Q: What’s one cultural tradition that brings you joy?
Anette: Baking German breads
Qin: Folk dance (秧歌)
Anil: Samvatsari - in Jainism, it is the day that we ask for forgiveness from others for any mistakes that we may have knowingly or unknowingly committed. For me, it gives me a sense of annual renewal.
Yiping: Hong Bao (red packet)
Shan: Cooking and enjoying food
Q: If you could instantly master a new skill, what would it be?
Anette: Singing (I cannot)
Anil: Ability to communicate in any language with a fellow human being
Yiping: Playing an instrument
Shan: Playing Erhu, a traditional music instrument from China
Q: Final thoughts?
Change is the only constant—storms will come and go, seasons will shift. What matters is how we move through them: with strength in uncertainty, humility in progress, and a curiosity that refuses to fade. The sun does return, but so do new clouds. Keep going. Together, we can overcome any impediment to achieve, build and shape the future worthy of our collective strength and aspirations!
