Soft Robotics Researcher Yi Li’s Journey from Ph.D., to Postdoc, to Professor
By Thatcher Slocum, Written Communications Specialist
Yi Li, a postdoc in Associate Professor Xueju “Sophie” Wang’s laboratory
Yi Li, a postdoc in Associate Professor Xueju “Sophie” Wang’s laboratory , chose to study materials science and engineering to explore its wide range of real-world applications across various industries. This broad interest is reflected in the diverse research he has performed during his extensive journey in the field.
Yi began his studies in materials science at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, where he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees studying the mechanics of deformation of steel at high speeds for automotive applications. He began his Ph.D. studies in Professor Wang’s lab at the University of Missouri in 2019, and followed her to UConn when she was hired as an assistant professor in 2020. In Wang’s lab, he studies polymer-based soft robotics, which are flexible and can operate in environments where traditional, rigid robots might fail. His research specifically focuses on how soft robots can be used underwater to collect data such as water pressure, temperature, salinity, and pH for environmental monitoring and site identification for commercial projects.
Despite studying vastly different topics thus far, Yi has achieved remarkable success during his doctoral and postdoctoral studies. While pursuing his Ph.D., he published eight first-author papers on soft robotics in high-impact journals such as Matter and Advanced Functional Materials. In recognition of his thesis, he was awarded the MSE Department’s Doctoral Dissertation Award after completing his Ph.D. in 2023. His postdoctoral year has been equally impressive, as he has already received offers for multiple tenure-track positions.
Yi’s main advice to current students and future researchers is to keep an open mind, seek feedback as often as possible, and continuously assess the efficiency and effectiveness of one’s research direction. Above all, he advises that students focus on developing a strong understanding of experimental design, which serves as a necessary foundation upon which field-specific technical skills can always be built.
Beyond his research-focused mindset, Yi attributes his success to the abundance of resources at UConn, which have been especially conducive to his cutting-edge research. Professor Wang’s lab has amazing equipment, and MSE students have ready access to cutting edge tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM), and others at the Innovation Partnership Building (IPB).
Collaboration and mentorship have also played an important role in Yi’s development as a researcher. He speaks highly of Professor Wang, crediting her with teaching him how to approach research projects holistically—from designing experiments to ensuring that ideas are both novel and viable. “She taught me a lot about how to think critically, design experiments, and develop innovative ideas,” Yi said. He also values the support of his lab mates, Zizheng Wang and Shao-Hao Lu, who provided guidance during his Ph.D., as well as his fellow postdocs, who have inspired and helped him to incorporate more advanced techniques and simulations into his work. Yi also appreciates UConn for its opportunities beyond academics and the lab: he enjoys hiking nearby with his friends and his dog Bluney, who, fitting with the UConn theme, is a husky!
Yi is poised to continue his success as he decides on the next step in his research career. While his current research focuses on underwater robots, he aspires to do pioneering work on biomedical soft robots that could be integrated more seamlessly into the human body, potentially revolutionizing surgeries and treatments for various medical conditions. Yi remarks that soft robotics is an exciting, innovative, and diverse field that is still in its infancy. When asked whether he sees himself as a future leader in soft robotics, he responded confidently: “Yeah. It’s a really cool position to be in.”
Published: December 2, 2024
Categories: alumni, news, post doctoral researcher, research, science 1
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