ORNL is proud of its role in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. We bring in talented young researchers, team them with accomplished staff members, and put them to work at the lab’s one-of-a-kind facilities. The result is research that makes us proud and prepares them for distinguished careers.
We asked some of these young researchers why they chose a career in science, what they are working on at ORNL, and where they would like to go with their careers.
Yiling Yu
Postdoc, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences
Ph.D., Physics, North Carolina State University
Hometown: Zhuzhou, China
What are you working on at ORNL?
I am studying the growth mechanism of atomically thin 2D semiconductors. I mainly use optical spectroscopic tools to characterize the material post-growth and unveil what was happening during the growth process. I also use the result to improve the growth process, with the goal of promoting targeted optical properties.
What would you like to do in your career?
I would like to join a university faculty. My research interest is understanding light–matter interactions and engineering the growth of materials to improve their optical functionality. As a teacher, I would like to foster students’ interest in research by connecting knowledge and real experiments.
Why did you choose a career in science?
I have had a great interest in science since my childhood. I am always curious about the underlying mechanisms of how things work and why things appear in their current forms in nature. Being a researcher brings me closer to the answer.