Exeter Alumni Alyssa Xu ‘21 and Ayush Noori ‘20 Named 2024 Rhodes Scholars

By LOGAN BECKERLE, ERIN HAN, MARVIN SHIM, and FORREST ZENG

On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Rhodes Trust announced the 32 recipients of the 2025 Rhodes Scholarship. The coveted postgraduate award provides for tuition for two to three years of study at Oxford University. Among this exceptional group of students were Academy alumni Ayush Noori ‘20 and Alyssa Xu ‘21.

Noori and Xu will be making their way to Oxford next year to build upon the achievements they have accomplished in their undergraduate programs.

Xu described her reaction to the Rhodes Trust’s November announcement: “I was in disbelief when I got the phone call. The call had come earlier than expected so when I saw the number come up on my phone, I was fully expecting a rejection. Then the committee told me that this was the first call they had to make tonight and paused before saying that this was one of the good ones.”

She continued, “I was speechless and just so grateful to have met such incredible people from the interviewers to the other finalists. And of course, when I realized that I was going to be a Rhodes Scholar, I told my family and was overjoyed because it was truly a dream come true.”

“It’s an immense honor to be included among this unique group of students and leaders, all of whom are similarly motivated to leverage their work for massive social good,” said Noori.

He added, “I was humbled and grateful for the support of the Rhodes Trust, which will enable me to advance AI-guided neurology at the University of Oxford.”

Noori continued, detailing the work he has been involved in in the past and hopes to carry forward abroad. “I research at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), precision medicine, and neurological disease. My mission is to…innovate AI technologies that can personalize medical interventions based on the unique biology of individual patients, so we can ‘find the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.’”

While earning his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, Noori has worked across Harvard Medical School, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital. He has developed AI models for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, and other intractable neurological disorders.

Xu detailed the range of work in which she has been involved at Amherst College. “I’ve been involved in a range of things, from benchwork research (I’m currently writing an honors neuroscience thesis on the sensory encoding in zebrafish) and clinical research to volunteering at a local hospital and community mobile health clinic (Tapestry Health).”

She added, “On campus, I’ve also been involved in human rights advocacy as the president of Amherst College’s chapter of Amnesty International and also run as an EMT on Amherst College Emergency Medical Services. Of course, I also play on the women’s ice hockey team and volunteer coach with some local youth organizations.”

At Oxford, Xu hopes “to continue exploring creative, interdisciplinary approaches to healthcare.”

“In particular, I hope to bridge my lab, clinic, and advocacy experiences through an MSc in Translational Health Sciences,” she specified. “I hope to bring the social sciences and patients’ unique voices into discussions surrounding medical innovations.”

Apart from her work in fields of STEM research and human rights advocacy, Xu is equally eager to explore uncharted areas at Oxford. “Oxford has an incredible interdisciplinary focus whether it’s within courses or the students in their various colleges. I love the idea that I have not yet found my specific interest or particular field of study because Oxford is such an amazing environment to collaborate with others and continue finding new ways to approach the problems facing our communities.”

She added, “While my passion is within the medical field, it’s broad and deeply intertwined with many other fields so I’m really looking forward to meeting other scholars with diverse passions and perspectives.”

For both Noori and Xu, their time at the Academy was a formative period in their lives.“I strive to live by the Exeter motto of ‘non sibi,’” said Noori. “In both my research and personal life, I am guided by the mandate of ‘knowledge and goodness,’ which impels me to apply our AI technologies to improve patient care. 

He added, “I owe a debt of gratitude to many instructors and mentors at Exeter who were – and still are – formative to my academic and personal development.”

Xu agreed, “The first thing that comes to mind [when I think of the Academy] is the unwavering support I felt from the faculty at Exeter. Whether it was coaches or teachers, knowing they believed in me even if I didn’t believe in myself is what allowed me to take chances and continuously improve as a person.”

“Something else from Exeter that has influenced me now is the drive to be a forever learner,” she added. “There was always an abundance of things to learn at Exeter and I think this is what inspired me to keep asking questions and exploring curiosities.”

During their times at the Academy, Noori and Xu shined, whether it was inside the classroom or out on the rink.

Instructor in English Christina Breen recalled Noori’s presence in her classes. “He was incredibly eager at the Harkness table. He was also generous, always trying to connect his comments to other people’s comments. He was a lovely, enjoyable young man.”

At Exeter, Xu played both lacrosse and hockey at the varsity level. Coach and Instructor in English Alexa Caldwell praised Xu’s intensity on the field. “Alyssa was a really strong athlete. She had IQ, speed, and great creativity,” she said. “She loved playing—you could see her smile through her helmet while playing hockey!”

“Alyssa is a hardworking and very humble person. She always puts in the extra effort, she comes to practice early always trying to get extra reps. But she was always so humble, and I had to always pump her tires up because she had one of the best raw talents I had seen,” said coach and Instructor in History Sally Komarek.

“She was a two-year captain in our program, which says a lot about her character, work ethic, and commitment to the team, but she never wanted to stay in the spotlight,” Komarek added. “She was just so responsible and mature in so many ways that I don’t always see in high school and college students.”

As a member of Bouncing Back, an online platform for Asian athletes, senior Angelina Gong recalled Xu’s legacy within the organization. “She left a big impact, even though I never crossed paths with her at Exeter,” said Gong. “Not only have I heard about her from my hockey friends, but I know plenty of people at Exeter who knew her projects and initiatives at Exeter.”

Coach Jeff Matthews, Xu’s hockey coach at Amherst College, praised Xu’s brilliant and energetic leadership on the rink. “Alyssa has a wonderful personality, is highly intelligent, poised, well spoken, and is wise beyond her years. She most definitely is a leader, with outstanding intellect and character, who possesses a fire and motivation to do big things in this world,” Matthews said.

He also expressed amazement at Xu’s ability to handle a wide assortment of activities on top of hockey. “I have been amazed at what Alyssa has been able to accomplish during her time at Amherst College so far. The extracurriculars and assortment of programs, activities, and initiatives she is involved in is beyond impressive,” he said. “Her work ethic and drive are unmatched.”

“She is just the most thoughtful person,” shared Komarek. “On her drive from Canada to Amherst over the summer, she knew that I just had my son [Collin]. She stopped by, drove out of her way, to drop off some Canadian candy that she knows Coach Hew and I really like and an Amherst onesie for Collin. Seeing her be recognized for such a prestigious award — I can’t imagine someone being more deserving than her.”

Komarek continued, “She had an infectious smile and laugh, and was just truly a wonderful, kind and friendly person. To see someone achieve well in academics and athletically and just be such a good person is just incredible.”

Having only just recently entered the Academy’s rich alumni community, Xu and Noori are proving themselves worthy of the Exeter name. Their excellence and achievement continue to influence students even today. What new worlds they will explore, only time will tell.