Yujiao Dong鈥檚 path to a doctorate at Aalto School of Chemical Engineering
Yujiao Dong, a member of the Multifunctional Materials Design (MMD) research group from Aalto School of Chemical Engineering, defended her doctoral dissertation in August 2024. We had a conversation with Yujiao and asked her to reflect on her PhD journey at Aalto.
Back then, in May 2019, when Yujiao joined the MMD group as its first doctoral student, everything was still in its early stages. 鈥淛aana [Prof. Vapaavuori] was trying to build her own team, and for me, it was a new position where I had to learn everything new,鈥 remembered Yujiao. 鈥淎nd it is my pleasure to see how the group has grown from a very small one that included Jaana, one postdoc and myself. At first, we only had one lab, and now we can conduct experiments in three different labs.鈥
One of the things that has not changed, according to Yujiao, is that the MMD group leader has always been very open to collaboration and highly supportive of employees鈥 initiatives. The group now has numerous collaborative projects, not only within Aalto and in Finland but also across Europe and worldwide. 鈥淢oreover, MMD鈥檚 research focus has expanded significantly 鈥 we currently explore new topics such as textiles and even machine learning. Many things have positively evolved since the beginning,鈥 added Yujiao.
Doctoral research and its main findings
The final topic of Dr. Dong鈥檚 doctoral thesis focuses on pectin, exploring it from fundamental science to its applications. The research began with a mechanism study on pectin-cations crosslinking and further influence on the properties of crosslinked pectin aerogels. Yujiao explained that previously, in several articles, they had demonstrated pectin as a functional material with good optical characteristics, absorption capabilities, and energy management properties. 鈥淭herefore, in this part of the study, I aimed to explore the material鈥檚 suitability for real-world applications. Pectin is a bio-based material that can be extracted from biowaste, such as citrus and apple peels, and can be used to create functional materials, with potential uses in the construction industry," added Yujiao.
Dr. Dong noted that during her time in research, she has worked on a variety of topics, including supramolecular materials and bio-based materials, each with its own unique challenges. She believes that the final topic is particularly practical, as it focuses on utilizing available biowaste and developing it into something useful, which could have a positive impact on sustainability.
Reflecting on the doctoral journey and career in research
"At the beginning of my Master鈥檚 studies, I found out that I really enjoyed lab work, and even though it may or may not be successful, the whole experience seemed quite interesting. The feeling of discovering something by yourself, not from a book or a lecture, is truly rewarding," pointed out Yujiao. With an initial intention of finding a position in R&D (research & development), Dr. Dong later realized that pursuing a doctoral path would allow for more freedom in choosing research topics and designing scientific experiments.
Reflecting on the key aspects of being a researcher, Yujiao highlighted the importance of management skills - specifically, the ability to effectively plan one's schedule, prioritize wisely and devote sufficient attention to each project. Moreover, in scientific work, many experiments do not prove to be successful, that is to say, failure is an inevitable part of the research process. Therefore, problem-solving skills are crucial, as they help one face challenges and find solutions. "Being able to embrace your failures and learn from them is invaluable," added Yujiao.
According to Dr. Dong, when considering pursuing a PhD, it is important to be honest with yourself and assess your readiness to see the journey through to the end, with all its ups and downs, as it can be quite tough at times. It is definitely helpful to be curious and eager to learn something new, while also having an interest in lab work. "For some positions, you probably won't need to do much laboratory work, but if your research is chemistry- or materials-related, you will need to spend many hours in the lab. You need to be sure that you really enjoy it; I know some people who dislike this aspect of the research process. And sometimes, when conducting lab experiments, it feels as if you are waiting for a miracle to happen," elaborated Yujiao.
Reflecting on the time in MMD, Aalto and Finland
Yujiao believes that the working environment at Aalto is positive, and wellbeing is always being considered: "You don't need to worry about work issues during a holiday or a weekend, you can take a break and recharge. Personally, I enjoy playing video games and building LEGO - it helps me disconnect and escape into a different world, free from work-related concerns."
"Finland is a great place to be, especially for someone like me who enjoys a calm and relaxing lifestyle without the pressure to commit to social activities all the time," said Yujiao.
Dr. Dong recalled experiencing some cultural shock during her Master's studies, but by the time she began her doctoral research, she had already become accustomed to the learning culture here. One aspect Yujiao appreciates is that everyone - colleagues, lecturers, supervisors - are very supportive and provide a lot of encouragement. "I think this is especially important during the PhD journey, as you often face many obstacles along the way. But knowing that your supervisor is always there for you, encouraging you and saying that you've already done a great job, is invaluable," explained Yujiao.
She elaborated, "With the MMD group growing larger in recent years, we now have a great team comprising doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, coordinators. I have this feeling, even though I don't often share it with everyone, that just knowing I'm part of the group makes me feel supported." Yujiao described the atmosphere in the MMD group as really nice, recalling a comment from one of the summer students: "I love the atmosphere here; everybody is happy and cooperating."
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Doctoral dissertation by Yujiao Dong 鈥楶ectin Based Multifunctional Porous Materials and Polymer Composites鈥 []
Contact information
Yujiao Dong
Email: yujiao.dong@outlook.com
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