PostTime：4/2/2026
In 2026, the sixth cohort of undergraduate graduates from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) is ready to set sail. Armed with the knowledge and courage bestowed by their alma mater, and guided by the belief of "Dream it. Do it.", they have etched their youth in constant exploration and breakthrough. Let us step into their stories, and witness how they take action as wings to wider skies.
Name: Li Leqi
Program: Chemical Engineering (CE)
High School: Shantou Chaoyang Experimental School
Awards:
GTIIT Vice Chancellor's List (2025)
GTIIT Dean's List (2024)
GTIIT First-Class Scholarship for Freshmen
GTIIT Excellent Campus Journalist (2023/2024)
Wiley China Excellent Author Program
Offers:
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) (Fully funded direct PhD program, recipient of the Powell-Bundle Fellowship by the Charles Lee Powell Foundation. This fellowship is awarded exclusively to outstanding incoming PhD students of the Jacobs School of Engineering at UCSD and is among the highest honors for engineering doctoral students at UCSD.)
University of Toronto
Chemistry (Fully funded direct PhD program)
Carnegie Mellon University
Biomedical Engineering (Master's program with a $10,000 scholarship)
During her undergraduate years, Leqi achieved remarkable academic accomplishments: as first author, she published papers in internationally renowned journals Small and ACS Sensors, and received the Wiley China Excellent Author Program. With an undergraduate GPA of 96.4, she was admitted to two fully-funded direct Ph.D. programs… From GTIIT to the University of California, San Diego, she successfully crossed disciplines from Chemical Engineering (CE) to a top program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). "Experiencing and crossing boundaries" have defined her academic journey. Over four years, this student transformed from a novice in science and engineering to an interdisciplinary researcher, continuously pushing her boundaries amid an open, inclusive and exploration-driven campus environment.
Broaden horizons through interdisciplinary exploration
From CE to ECE, this interdisciplinary leap is the result of Leqi's consistent efforts to "step out and explore".
In the summer of her freshman year, she joined a research group for her first taste of scientific research, conducting studies on flexible electronics under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Wang Yan from the Department of Chemical Engineering. GTIIT's curriculum, which places strong emphasis on foundational learning, laid solid groundwork for her entry into the laboratory. All core courses offered by the program stress the close integration of theory and practice, enabling her to translate knowledge acquired in class into practical capabilities in research. The seamless connection and mutual reinforcement between "what is learned in class" and "what is applied outside class" helped her grow. Her research experiences allowed her to explore her interests and recognize the potential of device hardware. "I wanted to go out and see what others were working on, so I applied for summer research programs related to ECE."
Armed with two first-author papers published during her undergraduate years, she won the recognition of supervisors in relevant research groups and eventually received an invitation to be a visiting student at UCSD. During the three-month summer research program, she assisted Ph.D. students in the research group with the fabrication and characterization of multilayer flexible printed circuit boards. Though she had never been exposed to electrical engineering before, she learned on the fly: "Whenever a new task was assigned, I'll learn and get it started right away." It was the ability to learn efficiently that allowed her to excel even in a completely unfamiliar field. Her research experience at the University of California, San Diego, in the summer of her junior year truly opened the door to interdisciplinary exploration.
During the summer research program, she met outstanding students from diverse majors at top universities including Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology of China, Tongji University, Zhejiang University, etc. Through interactions with them, Leqi gained a deeper appreciation for GTIIT's international reputation. "Technion enjoys high prestige. When I talked with peers and faculty from other universities, as well as during interviews for direct Ph.D. applications, the supervisors all knew that Technion is a top-tier institution for science and engineering." Her Technion degree certificate, academic transcript, and the university's international recognition became a vital source of confidence as she stepped onto the global stage.
This experience not only opened up a broader world for her but also strengthened her resolve to pursue interdisciplinary studies. From GTIIT to the wider world, from CE to ECE, she has embodied the saying that "the brave embraces the world first".
Try and build competence through challenges
Having been a self-directed learner since high school, she further honed her time management skills at GTIIT. "In my first two years, I was really strict about managing my time. Then I realized that wasn't sustainable, so I adjusted my pace—just making sure to get things done within a reasonable timeframe."
Four years of engineering training made her more focused on practical applications in research. Reflecting on her undergraduate years, she believes that GTIIT's "problem-driven" teaching approach has subtly cultivated her most crucial ability—not merely experimental skills, but a mindset that "starts from problems". "I learned the scientific way of thinking here. No matter how new the field is, like doing research or publishing papers, the core logic is pretty much universal."
She particularly emphasized self-learning. During an interview for a direct Ph.D. program, when a professor asked if she had certain skills, she answered honestly, "No, but I can learn immediately if needed." The professor approved: "The most important ability for a Ph.D. student is self-learning; the first lesson is to learn how to study independently." In her view, efficient learning means "prioritizing what is most essential." Whether accessing learning resources online or consulting faculty and peers, she always finds the best way to learn. "I'd say I'm very action-oriented. If I set my mind to something, I go for it."
Leqi said that she has become much more extroverted. "I feel it's easy to become an extrovert at GTIIT." She often uses office hours to have one-on-one conversations with professors: "Half an hour for academic questions and an hour for casual talks. Even if I ask 'silly' questions, the teachers always answer patiently." In her opinion, when under heavy research pressure, proper socializing and exercise help her relax.
Pursue breakthroughs and knowledge through application
During her undergraduate studies, Leqi published two high-level first-author papers. Her first research project focused on flexible sensors, integrating flexible hydrogels with circuit boards mainly for the detection of electroencephalographic signals. Following its publication, this paper earned her the Wiley China Excellent Author Program. Her second research project stemmed from reflections after taking a rock-climbing course at university: Could a thin, breathable electrode, adhering to the skin like a temporary tattoo, be developed? By detecting muscle electrical signals, it could analyze the activation of different muscle groups in real time during climbing. This would help beginners and professional athletes alike understand their force application patterns, optimize training methods, and prevent injuries. This project successfully developed an ultra-thin material only 5.2 micrometers thick, offering enhanced breathability and skin compatibility for detecting myoelectric and electrocardiographic signals.
"Failures are inevitable in scientific research, but failure itself is not the end—giving up is." When discussing the meaning of research, she said, "I believe the value of scientific research should not end at theoretical exploration; instead, technologies should be translated into practical applications. Only when research outcomes are connected to our life can they truly contribute to humanity. Scientific research is just sowing the seeds; whether they take root, sprout, and thrive depends on their practical, commercial, and market application. I hope my future research can make a small but real difference to people's lives."
It is with this philosophy that lead her to medical devices in her doctoral studies. Looking ahead, she has clear goals: "UCSD excels in both electrical engineering and biomedical engineering. The Jacobs School of Engineering, home to its electrical engineering program, ranks 10th in the United States. During my Ph.D. studies, I can fully leverage its platform advantages of in-depth cooperation with the School of Medicine and local enterprises, achieving mutual empowerment between academia and industry."
photoed by Leqi
Leqi offers advice to younger students: "Seize every opportunity to go out, see the wider world, learn what others are doing and how they do it, and explore what other fields have to offer. Try early and more, think carefully. Then make your decision." She especially stresses making the most of summer vacations: "GTIIT has long summer vacations, which can be used for internships or research. I spent most of my summers on research, and my first paper was the result of my work in sophomore summer."
Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, Li Leqi
