Toward the end of my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, I was still uncertain about the career path I wanted to pursue. I knew, however, that I was most interested in a science-related career, particularly in teaching or research. After discussions with several faculty members, Prof. Yao Xiaoqiang, who was then in the Department of Physiology, offered me the opportunity to join his laboratory as an MPhil student. Through that experience, I discovered my passion for academic research, which ultimately set me on my current research career path.
My graduate research focused on ion channel function in the cardiovascular system. At first, this was a challenging area for me because my undergraduate research had centered on single proteins at the molecular level. My supervisor, Prof. Yao, guided me to begin by studying an ion channel gene in a simple cellular model. He gave me considerable freedom while also providing thoughtful guidance in experimental design and execution.
Although research resources were limited at the time, he encouraged me to make the best use of what was available, often by thinking creatively and approaching problems from different angles. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and rigorous scientific inquiry. It also led to unexpected and novel findings, which further strengthened my commitment to a data-driven scientific process. We were able to build on those discoveries and extend the concepts to more complex physiological settings, including endothelial regulation of vascular tone and mechanisms of blood pressure sensing.
Beyond the freedom to pursue research questions, I greatly valued the critical and enriching discussions I had with peers, senior researchers, and faculty members. These interactions not only advanced my research projects but also helped shape me into a better scientist. They taught me that while scientific inquiry is often driven by curiosity, progress depends on being guided by data and evidence.
The academic environment also showed me that, within the freedom of research, one can apply knowledge and skills creatively to ask novel questions and determine how best to address them. This mindset encouraged me to broaden my interests into other areas of human health. As a result, after completing graduate school, I chose to pursue postdoctoral training in neuroscience.
My current research focuses on brain cell metabolism. Metabolic dysfunction is closely linked to age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Through my research, I hope to contribute findings that can help inform strategies to promote healthy aging and improve our understanding of disease mechanisms.
