Zandy Wong

Creating a world where accessibility is universal and having a disability is celebrated.

Zandy Wong Headshot

Hi! I’m Zandy!

I am a master’s student at the University of Oxford studying for an MSc in Applied Digital Health as a 2024 U.S. Rhodes Scholar. My mission is to create a world where accessibility is universal
and having a disability is celebrated through my research and advocacy. Currently, I am a research assistant with the University of Michigan where my research focuses on investigating the accessibility of patient education materials. I also serve as a Youth Advisor to UNICEF, advising them on creating programs that are inclusive of youth with disabilities. I also founded the NextGen Accessibility Initiative, helping over 200,000 youth gain access to accessible digital education. I previously advised the U.S. Department of Labor and UNESCO on making inclusive programs for youth with disabilities and contributed to research at Johns Hopkins surrounding the accessibility of U.S. hospital websites. My work has been recognized by the American Association for People with Disabilities and Cochlear Americas and featured in international
news coverage from the Guardian, the Washington Post, and Teen Vogue.

Awards

Maryland Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence Scholarship

Recognized by the Daily Record Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence for outstanding leadership, mentoring, and community service.

Johns Hopkins Public Health Studies Outstanding Senior Award

Each year, the Public Health Studies Program gives the Outstanding Senior Award for Academic Excellence, Leadership, and Service to a graduating Public Health Studies major who has made a significant positive impact on their JHU community through public health related activities.

2024 U.S. Rhodes Scholarship

Named 1 of 32 U.S. Rhodes Scholars in recognition of my leadership, intellect, and humanity. The Rhodes Scholarship is considered the most prestigious postgraduate scholarship in the world and funds 2-3 years of graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

2023 Newman Civic Fellow

1 of 154 students recognized nationally for their commitment to creating positive change in communities locally and around the world. Fellows are nominated by Campus Compact member presidents and chancellors, and I’m currently working with the Center for Social Concern on a social justice project.

2022 Heumann-Armstrong Award National Winner

Recognized as 1 of the top 6 disability youth advocates combating ableism in education nationwide. Received a $1000 scholarship and had media coverage from Equal Opportunities in Education and the Johns Hopkins HUB.

2022 Lime Connect Fellow

Recognized as one of the top 25 rising junior undergraduate disabled students nationwide by representatives from leading global corporations including Google, Microsoft, and BlackRock. Invited to and attended a five-day leadership and development symposium hosted by Lime Connect as a 2022 Lime Connect Fellow.

2022 Clinton Global Initiative University Scholar

Recognized by the Clinton Foundation for my leadership in advancing global digital accessibility. Invited to speak with the Clinton family about the NextGen Accessibility Initiative at the annual Clinton Global Initiative University Summit in April.

Coelho Center Law Fellowship

1 out of 25 disabled undergraduates nationwide who was awarded a $1000 grant for disability policy research by the Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy and Innovation.

Publications

March 2023

Journal of the Acoustical Society of America


Longitudinal Effects of Noise Exposure and Age on Masked Auditory Brainstem Response-Derived Estimates of auditory filters in laboratory mice

The peripheral auditory system in normal-hearing individuals is highly tuned to discriminate very minor changes in frequency, but this frequency resolution may be susceptible to the effects of age and noise. Unfortunately, high-intensity noise damages the auditory periphery and leads to temporary or permanent hearing loss. Using a streamlined method to measure auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in simultaneous spectrally notched noise, we measured masked thresholds and estimated peripheral frequency selectivity in male and female CBA/CaJ mice across the lifespan before and after noise exposure (8–16 kHz narrowband noise at 100 dBA SPL for 2 ). Mice were grouped by age at the time of noise exposure (44, 144, and 479 days old) and tracked longitudinally. We recorded ABRs to a 16 kHz tone in quiet, in the presence of a broadband masker, and in a masker with a spectral notch of varying widths (1/8th,1/4th, 1/2, 1, and 2 octaves centered around 16 kHz) before and after noise exposure for up to 6 months post-exposure. Our findings show that masking differs with age and time after noise exposure, and that young adult mice (<2 months old at noise exposure) are especially susceptible to traumatic noise.

May 2021

Secondary Schools Writing Center Association


Reviving Student Research: Strategies for Tutoring Student Research Papers

Research evaluating the effectiveness of strategies implemented in the Hawk Writing Center to help tutors best assist tutees writing extensive research papers for AP/IB classes.