Yuan Mengyao is a 2022 PhD student at the School of Physical Science and Technology (SPST). Under the mentorship of Associate Professor Yang Xiaoyu, her research focuses on asymmetric catalytic organic synthesis. During her graduate studies, she has published research as first author in journals such as Nature Communications and Chinese Chemical Letters. She has also won honors including the 2025 National Scholarship for Doctoral Students and ShanghaiTech Outstanding Student for the 2024 academic year.
Finding inspiration at ShanghaiTech
Yuan’s connection with ShanghaiTech began when during her undergraduate years at Henan University, when she participated in the SPST summer camp. The deep interactions with faculty including research briefings and informal conversations left a lasting impression. It was here she met Prof. Yang Xiaoyu, whose encouragement strengthened her determination to apply for ShanghaiTech’s doctoral program.
Since enrolling in September 2022, Yuan has thrived in ShanghaiTech’s small-scale and research-intensive environment. With high faculty-to-student ratios (1:10–1:12) and personalized mentoring, she found a stimulating environment. Unlike graduate courses in other universities, Yuan found the courses at ShanghaiTech both intellectually rigorous and highly engaging. She recalls Associate Professor Liang Guangxin’s Advanced Organic Chemistry course, where he used relatable metaphors to explain reaction rates, making complex theories accessible and engaging. Beyond the lab, she serves as a teaching assistant and volunteer, adhering to the philosophy of “learning through practice.”
Yuan Mengyao presentes her research at an SPST workshop.
Learning to think like a researcher
Under the guidance of Prof. Yang Xiaoyu and with the support of her research group, Yuan gradually developed a strong interest in frontier research in organic synthesis. At the early stage of her project, limited prior studies were available for reference, and many questions had to be explored from the ground up. Faced with uncertainty and challenges, she chose not to rely solely on existing knowledge, but instead cultivated the habit of independent thinking and proactive questioning through continuous exploration.
During one stage of her research, experimental results differed from expectations. At first, Yuan assumed that the compound had decomposed after purification. However, inspired by discussions with her supervisor, she began to reexamine the experimental observations and worked closely with her teammates to verify different possibilities. After extensive experimental monitoring and theoretical analysis, the team eventually arrived at a convincing explanation. The experience helped her realize that scientific research requires not only solid experimental skills, but also the patience to keep questioning and the ability to think critically.
Later, in a new research project, Yuan once again encountered what initially seemed to be an almost impossible challenge. Although the first experiments produced disappointing results, she chose to remain patient and systematically refine the reaction conditions and experimental design in search of a breakthrough. Through countless rounds of trial, adjustment, and reflection, she gradually learned how to identify clues in failure and remain persistent amid uncertainty, ultimately achieving promising research outcomes.
From the confusion of confronting the unknown to gradually developing the ability to think independently and solve problems, Yuan has come to understand that the value of scientific research lies not only in publications or achievements, but also in the process of learning how to discover, analyze, and solve problems. In her view, the true spirit of research is found in the continuous pursuit of deeper understanding through curiosity, reflection, and exploration.
Yuan Mengyao at Prof. Yang’s lab.
Defining her research path
Immersed in a vibrant academic environment, Yuan continuously broadened her research horizons. Through academic seminars, student forums, and interactions with leading scholars in the field, she was able to engage with new ideas while gradually reflecting on the research questions that genuinely inspired her and the direction she hoped to pursue in the long term.
An important turning point came when the SPST launched its Graduate Innovation Fund, which encouraged graduate students to independently design research projects, build collaborative teams, and manage projects from proposal to implementation. Under the guidance of Prof. Yang, Yuan took on the role of project leader for the first time. From reviewing literature and refining research ideas to collaborating with students from other research groups, she gradually learned how to think about scientific research from a broader and more strategic perspective.
One time, during the project presentation stage, scheduling conflicts made it difficult for her team to attend the defense in person. With the active support and coordination of the school’s administrative staff, the team was ultimately able to complete the presentation online and successfully secure project funding. The experience not only strengthened Yuan’s abilities in project planning and organization, but also helped her better appreciate the importance of teamwork, communication, and perseverance under pressure.
Through continuous engagement in academic exchange and research practice, Yuan gradually clarified her academic interests and became firmly committed to the field of asymmetric synthesis. In her view, scientific research is not only about exploring the unknown, but also about learning how to make thoughtful choices, maintain clear judgment, and remain committed to a meaningful direction over the long term.
“Action speaks louder than words” is Yuan’s guiding principle. She believes that, without execution, even the most brilliant idea is just a “castle in the air”. Her achievements are built on daily persistence in the lab and meticulous entries in her research logs.
“There are no shortcuts in scientific research,” Yuan says. “Every step taken is a step toward growth.”