Wharton and Engineering junior Sophia Tang was recently named a recipient of a computing research award.
Tang is the first Penn student to be honored with this award, and one of eight to receive it nationwide in 2026. The distinction, titled the Computer Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award is presented to students across North America who excel in research.
In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Tang said the award is "a good signal to my family and I that research is a worthwhile thing to pursue."
"Sometimes it can be very hard to see where research projects can move towards in the long term, since a lot of them are solving abstract problems that don't have real-world effects right away," Tang added.
The distinction is intended to honor undergraduate students who "show outstanding research potential in an area of computing research."
Since her sophomore year, Tang has conducted research at bioengineering assistant professor Pranam Chatterjee's lab, where she develops generative models within the field of biology.
Chatterjee told the DP that Tang is a "huge celebrity in the field."
"I don't think I will ever have a student — undergrad, postdoc, ever — like Sophia again," Chatterjee said. "[She's] a once-in-a-generation student."
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Tang has first-authored six research papers during her undergraduate career, and has served as a co-author on many more. Her work primarily focuses on the theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence systems in biological design.
Erik Russell — Director of Educational Initiatives at CDA — told the DP that this award is “very competitive" and is generally presented to those who are "really top level."
When discussing Tang's work, "stellar doesn't even begin to describe the accomplishments and impact that she's having," Russell added.
Chatterjee told the DP that in addition to Tang's individual research tasks, she also serves as a mentor for others in the lab.
In 2026, Tang joined winners from seven peer institutions — including Harvard University, Cornell University, and the University of Chicago — as a recipient.
"They're definitely pushing the envelope of research," Russell said.
