Los Angeles—As the year of 2018 concludes, US News Express selected top 10 Persons of the Year, who have significant impact on the community and the nation they serve.
Elaine Chao
Elaine Chao is the first Asian American woman and the first Chinese American in history appointed to serve in the cabinet. Currently the 18th Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, Chao used to serve as Secretary of Labor in the administration of George W. Bush.
Stewart Kwoh
Stewart Kwoh is the founder of Asian Americans Advancing Justice—Los Angeles, formerly known as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California. For 35 years, Kwoh has been dedicated to the civil rights of Asian Americans.
Michael Zyda
Michael Zyda is the Founding Director of the USC GamePipe Laboratory, and a Professor of Engineering Practice in the USC Department of Computer Science. In December he was promoted to IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Fellow for his contributions to game design and networking.
Nathan Chen
Nathan Chen, the 2018 Winter Olympic bronze medalist, is widely considered “the American promising figure skating star”. He is the first and currently only skater who competes with five quadruple jumps.
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, was elected in November the 40th Governor of the State of California. Newsom is considered the early advocate for same sex marriage, gun control, universal health care and legalization of marijuana. As mayor of San Francisco, Newsom gained national attention in 2004 by authorizing issuance of marriage certificates to same-sex couples.
Frances Arnold
Frances Arnold, the Linus Pauling Professor of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering and Biochemistry at the California Institute of Technoly, won the Nobel prize in chemistry in 2018 for her pioneering use of directed evolution to engineer enzymes. Arnold is the 5th female Nobel Laureate in chemistry, and the 17th female Nobel Laureate.
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and philanthropist. For more than 50 years, Lauren has been dedicated to public health aside from fashion business. In 2018, he was appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Hu Bing
Hu Bing, a Chinese actor, model and designer, is the first Chinese male model to walk the international fashion runway. In December, Hu was chosen again to be GQ Best-Dressed Man 2019.
Kevin Xu
Kevin Xu is the chairman of Mebo International, a corporation dedicated to regenerative life science with headquarters in both China and the United States. Under his leadership, Mebo International has become the pioneer in the research and application of regenerative medicines.
Paul P. Cheng
Paul P. Cheng is a well-known trial counsel for employment, business, and real Estate litigation in California. He has extensive legal experience in business operations and commercial realty transactions. Chen has counseled individuals and businesses at all levels in a variety of transaction and litigation matters, including contract, landlord-tenant, land use, employment, franchise law, fraud, identity-theft, business immigration, civil rights violations, products liability, trademark violation, construction defect and general torts.
