Avinash "Avi" Vadali, a fourth-year undergraduate studying physics, has been named a recipient of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans , one of the most selective graduate funding awards in the United States. "I'm very honored to be joining this community of scientists, poets, artists, and musicians," Vadali says. "It's also nice to know that all that I've been working on up until this point has been recognized." Founded in 1998, the fellowship supports immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate education. It receives thousands of applications each year and awards 30 fellowships annually. Each fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years and joins a lifelong community of New American Fellows. Vadali, the son of two physicians who immigrated to the United States from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, grew up in Chicago. He credits his family with instilling a strong commitment to education and scientific curiosity.…