Uncovering Chinese American Stories of Resilience with Russ Low
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Time to read 5 min
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Time to read 5 min
I’m Russell N. Low, a retired physician, researcher, and author passionate about uncovering and sharing stories of resilience, family, and cultural heritage. My writing often draws from my own family’s history and the experiences of Chinese Americans, blending deep research with storytelling to bring these lives to light.
As a physician specializing in diagnostic radiology, I completed a fellowship in body imaging at Stanford Medical Center. I served as the medical director of the Sharp and Children’s MRI Center and as an assistant clinical professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. Over the years, I’ve authored numerous research papers on MRI imaging, with a particular focus on gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, and the early detection of certain cancers.
Alongside my wife, artist Carolyn Hesse-Low, I’ve supported initiatives like the CSUSM nursing scholarship. I also enjoy giving lectures on family history and the broader story of Chinese American contributions, including those of veterans during WWII.
I create stories that bring hidden histories to life—stories of my family and the broader Chinese American experience that have too often been overlooked or forgotten. Through my books, I hope to give voice to those who endured unimaginable hardship yet found the courage to survive, rebuild, and dream. These stories matter to me because they are part of who I am. They remind us all that the past isn’t just something to study; it’s something that shapes us and gives us the strength to face the future.
My current creative path was inspired by a deep need to uncover and share the stories of my family—stories that had been nearly lost to time. It began with a photograph of my great-grandmother, Ah Ying, and the realization that her life as a young girl trafficked to California and later escaping slavery was not just a family story, but part of a larger, untold chapter of American history.
As I dug deeper, I discovered how interconnected her struggles were with the experiences of so many other Chinese immigrants who endured hardship and discrimination but also showed incredible resilience and hope. That discovery lit a fire in me to write—not just for my own family, but for readers who may see pieces of their own histories reflected in these lives.
My journey as an author began with Three Coins: A Young Girl's Story of Kidnapping, Slavery, and Romance in 19th-Century America. This novel is based on the life of my great-grandmother, Ah Ying, who was trafficked to California and later escaped slavery with the help of her future husband, Low Sun Fook, also known as Hop Lee. The Iron Road and the Steam-Breathing Dragon: A Young Boy’s Adventure and Survival in the Gold Mountain continues the “Three Coins” series, focusing on my great-grandfather’s experiences building the transcontinental railroad. In Chinatown Orphans on Sonora Street, I tell the story of my mother, Rose, and her siblings, who raised themselves in Stockton’s Chinatown after their father’s death.
I wish more people understood that my work isn’t just about my family—it’s about uncovering a part of American history that has been overlooked for too long. The stories I write are deeply personal, rooted in the lives of my ancestors, but they also speak to universal themes of survival, love, and the search for belonging. These aren’t just Chinese American stories; they’re human stories that help us all see how interconnected our histories really are.
"At the heart of my work is a simple belief: when we take the time to learn each other’s stories, we create space for empathy and connection. That’s what drives me to keep writing and sharing."
My AAPI identity is at the heart of my creativity—it’s both the wellspring and the compass for my storytelling. Growing up, I didn’t see many stories about people like my ancestors: Chinese immigrants whose lives were marked by struggle, resilience, and quiet acts of courage. As I learned more about their experiences—my great-grandmother’s escape from slavery, my grandparents’ fight to survive in a society that often rejected them—I felt a deep responsibility to share these histories.
Being Chinese American gives me a dual perspective: I can see how easily stories of Asian immigrants and their descendants get erased from mainstream history, and I can also see how powerful it is when those stories are finally told. That tension fuels my creativity. It pushes me to explore themes of identity, belonging, and generational strength—not just as a writer but also as a physician trying to connect with people from all walks of life.
In many ways, my creativity is an act of remembrance and restoration. It’s a way to honor my ancestors and give their voices a place in the larger narrative of America. At the same time, it’s an invitation to readers of all backgrounds to reflect on their own family stories and the threads that connect us all.
As a physician and researcher, I was trained to focus on facts and data, but diving into family history required me to open myself emotionally in ways I hadn’t before. It taught me that storytelling isn’t just about preserving the past—it’s about healing, for myself and for others who see their own families reflected in these pages.
My medical career has always been about helping others and making connections. In many ways, writing these books feels like an extension of that mission—healing, remembering, and honoring those who came before us. At the heart of everything I do—whether writing or practicing medicine—is a desire to make connections: between people, between past and present, and between knowledge and compassion.
One of my favorite parts of the creative process is uncovering a tiny detail from the past—a fragment of a story, an old photograph, a name in a newspaper—and realizing it connects me to my ancestors in ways I never imagined. It feels like they’re reaching across time to whisper, “Don’t forget us. Tell our story.” Those moments are what fuel me to keep digging and writing, even when the research feels overwhelming.
I’m excited about my new series of children’s books. Through these stories, I hope to inspire young readers to dream big and embark on adventures that carry them across new places and times. At their heart, these books are about making friends across cultures and building bridges—lessons for all of us, and especially for our children and grandchildren.
I’m deeply moved by the response from readers who have supported the Russell N. Low and Carolyn Hesse-Low CSUSM Nursing Scholarship. Thanks to you, one book at a time, we’ve been able to fund over 30 scholarships, helping nursing students pursue their dreams of caring for others. Together, we’re “paying it forward” to the next generation, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Website: www.russlow.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/russ.low.1
CSUSM Nursing Scholarship Giving Form
