Weike Wang, who earned a doctorate in public health at Harvard University while enrolled in BU’s Creative Writing Program, took inspiration from her own life for her debut novel, Chemistry. The book follows a young Ph.D. dropout as she deals with her future—similar to how Wang had to choose between two career paths.

She chose wisely, as Chemistry received a Whiting Award, one of 10 given each year to up-and-coming writers. Among past winners are Saul Bellow (Hon.’04), Eudora Welty, and Seamus Heaney. Read more at BU Today.