As a researcher from a first-generation, low-income (FGLI) background, Elvis has the experience of navigating his way from a small village in China to being selected as a Schmidt Science Fellow by Schmidt Futures, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust.

In 2020, Elvis was featured in an interview, “My journey from poverty to college,” which attracted a vast audience globally. In 2021, Elvis published the article “Navigating my way as a first-generation student” on Matter (Cell Press) and another piece, “Flourishing as a minority in higher education,” at Lindau Nobel Meetings. Most recently, Elvis created an artwork titled “Running a Muddy Road Lit by Burning Straws” and authored an editorial piece published as part of the Diversity & Inclusion cover art series by the American Chemical Society. In addition, He also served as a mentor in the Forbes Mentoring Program and an ambassador for the Tomorrow iCAN Program to support 630 FGLI students from 23 high schools in China.

Because of his service to the FGLI community, Elvis was selected into the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, named for the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States (Ph.D. from Yale University in 1876). The Bouchet Society seeks to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support and serve as examples of CLASS: Character, Leadership, Advocacy, Scholarship, and Service.