When Erdan Gu (second from left) arrived at Penn Engineering from China to begin a Ph.D., she brought only $2,000 and a passion for computer science. The education, mentorship and community she found at Penn not only helped her launch a career as a software engineer at Google and Airbnb, but also transformed her life. In this Q&A, Gu (GEng’04, GrEng’06) reflects on the mentorship she received from Norman Badler, her path from China to Silicon Valley, and why giving back to Penn Engineering has become an important part of her story.

I joined Penn Engineering in 2002, as a doctoral student in the Center for Human Modeling and Simulation (HMS) under Professor Norman Badler. Our lab was in the historic Moore Building, next to the birthplace of ENIAC, the world’s first general-purpose electronic computer, which constantly reminded me of Penn’s remarkable legacy of innovation and engineering excellence.

Coming directly from China, everything was new to me: the language, culture and academic environment. Our cohort was small, with only about 20 to 30 doctoral students, creating a close-knit and supportive community. The first two years were especially intense, as we completed the core coursework and qualification requirements for the doctoral program. We formed study groups to help one another through those challenging classes, and the experience taught me the importance of collaboration and perseverance. By 2004, fewer than two-thirds of our original cohort remained on the Ph.D. track.

My years at Penn built my foundation in computer graphics and AI, strengthened my confidence as a researcher and engineer, and ultimately opened the door to a career in Silicon Valley. The experience profoundly shaped both my professional journey and personal growth.

One of my most memorable moments at Penn was attending my master’s graduation ceremony in 2004. Ironically, I never attended my Ph.D. graduation in 2006 because I had already moved to Boston to reunite with my husband and was preparing for our next move to Silicon Valley to begin the next chapter of our lives.

Looking back, I sometimes wish I had been there to celebrate that milestone with my classmates and professors. Yet the memories I cherish most are the everyday moments: late nights studying in Van Pelt Library, grabbing Philly cheesesteaks and Chinese mapo tofu from the food trucks, lively discussions with labmates in the HMS lab and the excitement of pursuing new research ideas.

Penn was much more than an academic program for me. It was where I learned to think independently, conduct meaningful research, and build friendships and connections that have remained important throughout my life and career.

Professor Norman Badler had the greatest impact on my life, both academically and personally. I came directly from China to Penn, and it was my first experience living and studying in an English-speaking environment. Everything was unfamiliar, but Norm was incredibly kind, patient and supportive from the very beginning.

We met regularly, often every week, to discuss my research progress and challenges. Every time I left his office, I carried a small sticky note with paper titles, author names and ideas that would help me move forward. His depth of knowledge was extraordinary, but what impressed me most was his generosity as a mentor and his genuine care for his students.

Even after graduation, he continued to support me. In 2010, when my husband was applying for permanent residency through an Outstanding Researcher petition, Norm graciously wrote a recommendation letter for him. That kindness meant a great deal to our family and reminded me that the relationships built at Penn extend far beyond the classroom and laboratory.

One of my biggest regrets is missing his retirement symposium. Although I contributed a photo to the commemorative photomosaic, I always thought there would be another opportunity to thank him in person. His mentorship changed the course of my life, and I remain deeply grateful for everything he did for me.

Both my husband and I emigrated from China, and Penn played a transformative role in our lives. When I arrived in the United States in 2002, I brought only about $2,000 with me. Penn, and especially Professor Norman Badler, gave me the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D., supported me throughout my studies, and helped me build a life and career in this country.

In the past few years, I began thinking seriously about giving back to Penn. Norman Badler connected me with the Development and Alumni Relations team and they created opportunities for us to contribute to the Open Collaboration Space in Amy Gutmann Hall, the Annual Fund and serve on the Penn Engineering Technical Advisory Board.

Giving back to Penn is our way of expressing gratitude for the opportunities we received. Penn invested in us when we were just beginning our journey in America, and we hope to help create similar opportunities for future generations of students through our professional experience, mentorship and philanthropy.