In the labs of GIKI, I learned that the smallest changes at the atomic level could redefine the strength of an entire structure. As a Materials Science student, my days were spent peering into the microscopic world, trying to understand how elements bond and behave under pressure. GIKI doesn’t just give you a degree in engineering; it gives you a lens to see the world as a series of complex, interconnected systems. Whether we were testing the durability of alloys or debating the future of nanotechnology, the quiet intensity of Topi provided the perfect environment to cultivate a researcher’s patience. We learned early on that innovation isn’t always about a sudden breakthrough—it’s about the meticulous, day-to-day refinement of a process.
My journey took that foundational curiosity from the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering to some of the world’s leading research institutions. From pursuing a PhD at Tsinghua University to conducting advanced research in Singapore and Hong Kong, the ‘GIKI grit’ was my constant companion. Today, as a Professor at the Institute of Advanced Materials in Nanjing, I spend my time pushing the boundaries of nanomaterials and electrocatalysis. The scale of my work has moved to the ‘ultra-thin’—developing nanosheets and nanocones that could power the future—but the principles remain those I first practiced in Topi. I went from a student curious about the properties of matter to a scientist engineering its very potential. GIKI didn’t just teach me about materials; it taught me how to be the architect of the invisible.