Esther Wang, Author at Sampan

Esther Wang

Students and teachers of Boston String Academy. Photos by Adam Smith/ errorc1301.com

Arts May 23, 2025 1

On a High Note: Boston String Academy Tunes Into Youth Talent

When sisters Marielisa and Mariesther Alvarez grew up in Venezuela, they were part of El Sistema, the National System for Youth Orchestras and Choirs. But when they came to Boston, they soon discovered a similar program was lacking. “When we came to Boston to do our studies at the Boston Conservatory, we realized that even though it is a culturally rich city, there was the need for a program where creating musical excellence was a communal effort — a program […]

Boston May 9, 2025 0

A Force of Nature: Vivien Li has helped advocate for and shape treasured Hub parks, waterways

Vivien Li has not only witnessed the growth of the environmental movement in the United States since the 1970s, she’s participated in and helped shape it right here in Boston. As a waterfront and climate expert, Li has been involved in the cleaning of the Boston Harbor and the creation of more than 40 miles of public walkways and parks alongside it. She also advocated for the tidying of beaches from Boston to Quincy so they’re fit for swimming. In […]

Education March 21, 2025 0

‘Cracking’ the Code: Boston Researcher Jing-Ke Weng Aims to Use Plant Science, AI to Unlock Mystery of Peanut Allergies

The peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies in the world, and yet there is still much that we don’t understand about it. This puzzle is precisely what researcher Jing-Ke Weng, a professor of chemistry and bioengineering at Northeastern University, is aiming to solve. In an interview with the Sampan, Weng revealed more about his research on peanut allergies—what pushed him to pursue this particular subject, the work he’s hoping to achieve, and his research’s potential implications […]

Immigration March 7, 2025 0

How Asian Americans Fought Key Battles for Immigrant & Civil Rights

Tens of millions of immigrants in the U.S. are now, as long promised, in the sights of the administration of Pres. Donald Trump, who is carrying out his threats of mass deportations. The administration is also using various executive orders in attempts to boot certain visa holders from the U.S. and to end Constitutionally protected rights, such as birthright citizenship. Some of these very rights are the same that throughout history Asian Americans have fought hard for, in a long […]

Boston February 21, 2025 0

All Immigrants Have Rights, Say Attorneys

Despite the fear and chaos created across the U.S. as immigration raids detain and deport more and more people, those living in the U.S. still have constitutional and legal protections, such as against illegal searches and warrantless home entries. That was a key takeaway from the media briefing “ICE Is Knocking. What Are Your Rights?” conducted by Ethnic Media Services. Just in the past few weeks, more than 200,000 people have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and at […]

Health February 7, 2025 0

Panel of Doctors Agree: Climate Change, Vaccine Distrust Pose Grave Health Risks

Climate change, the rise of the “anti-vaccination” movement and several viral diseases are current threats to healthcare and humans, according to a diverse panel of doctors who presented at a Jan. 10 Ethnic Media Services online briefing.The panel of guests included Dr. Nahid Bhadelia from the Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases at Boston University, Dr. Peter Chin Hong from University of California San Francisco, Dr. Benjamin Neuman from Texas A&M University, Dr. Maurice Pitesky from UC Davis, and Dr. William […]

Features November 22, 2024 0

Some Immigrant Families Fear 2nd Trump Presidency

Central to President-elect Donald Trump’s victory on Nov. 5 was his harsh stance on immigration.Now that Trump is due to regain the presidency in January, anti-immigrant sentiment has dominated much of the news. Trump has pledged to hire 10,000 more border patrol agents—and it looks like the president-elect will hold true to his promise, as he and his team moves forward on a plan to divest certain Americans of their citizenship, part of a so-called “denaturalization” project has been in […]

Business November 8, 2024 0

‘Amnesty’ Offered to State Tax Payers, but Some Say More Help Is Needed

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue is offering taxpayers a little breather through Dec. 30: The tax amnesty program will waive penalties for certain eligible taxpayers as long as they pay the tax and interest owed before the end of the year. In order to enter the program, the taxpayer will have to submit an Amnesty Request, pay the total amount owed, and submit all required returns by December 31, 2024. Those who have received prior amnesty relief, are in active […]

Boston October 25, 2024 0

Gov’s Emergency Gun Rule Triggers Debate Around Second Amendment Rights in State

Gov. Maura Healey signed an emergency preamble early this month that effectively put a new gun law into immediate effect, expanding Massachusetts’ preexisting firearms regulations—already some of the strictest in the country. The move will crack down on private-made “ghost guns”; criminalize possession of “bump stocks” and trigger cranks; require a gun license for live-fire training; prohibit people outside of law enforcement from carrying guns at schools, polling places, and government buildings; ban the possession, transfer, and sale of assault […]

Features October 11, 2024 0

WWII Pvt. Woo Returns for Burial After Nearly 80 Years

A full 79 years after his death, Private Kwack Keung Woo of the U.S. Army has finally been brought home to Agwam, Massachusetts. After falling in action in Biesdorf, Germany, in 1945, the private’s remains were not recovered until 1951 and only identified recently. “Once a soldier is identified, the family is given the option to have their loved one buried in a designated overseas military cemetery or repatriated to the United States to a local cemetery or a veterans […]

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