恭喜, Dr. Shao!

Xiaoqing Shao, a PhD student who is under Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren supervision, has successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled “Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by peri-Alkynylation” publicly on Thursday, 6 March.

The members of the evaluation committee were Prof. Diego Peña (Universidade de Santiago de Compostela), Prof. Arjan W. Kleij (ICIQ) and Dr. Pilar Calleja (Wiley-VCH, Germany).

Xiaoqing Shao is from China and completed her undergraduate degree in Materials Chemistry at Huainan Normal University, followed by a master’s at Nanjing Tech University. She conducted her Ph.D. research at ICIQ, focusing on organic chemistry.

Outside academics, she enjoys watching TV shows and cooking, finding it a relaxing way to unwind from stress. She compares cooking to setting up reactions, appreciating its simplicity and the joy of tasting her creations. Additionally, she values academic discussions and seminar participation, which have contributed to her understanding of the subject.

What do you want to achieve as a scientist?

My research focuses on the synthesis of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. If I had to say something about my future goals, I hope that one day I can invent a new organic photosensitive material. In the future, this material could be widely used in the field of solar cells.

What applications can your thesis have in the future?

In my thesis, I have synthesized four polyaromatic hydrocarbons, all exhibiting open-shell ground state properties. Given the opportunity, I plan to test their electron mobility. If these compounds demonstrate high electron mobility, they could potentially be utilized in organic field-effect transistors.

The thing that I like most about my thesis is…. 

In the process of writing my thesis, I conducted a lot of literature research, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the topic. At the same time, it allowed me to improve my data-handling skills, enabling me to better plan and analyze my experimental data.

What will you miss the most from ICIQ?

I might miss the people in our research group the most, as they were very enthusiastic and helped me a lot. I will also miss the working environment at ICIQ—it’s so clean, and the facilities are all top-notch. I will also miss all the staff at ICIQ, because thanks to your hard work and dedication, we have such a great working environment.

What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your PhD?

Time management is crucial: I learned the hard way how easy it is to get lost in your research and lose track of time. Managing your schedule and setting clear goals is vital to staying on track, especially when you’re juggling different aspects of your PhD.

Don’t compare yourself to others: Everyone’s PhD journey is unique. Comparing your progress to that of your peers can be discouraging. I wish I’d focused more on my own path and trusted that I was progressing at my own pace.

What advice do you have for someone who’s starting their PhD now?

Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to reach out to your advisors, colleagues, or other PhD students for guidance. The research community is supportive, and everyone’s been where you are.
Network: Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars, both within and outside your field. Networking is not only good for your career but also helps with brainstorming ideas and getting feedback.
Take care of yourself: PhD life can be intense, but maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. Make time for hobbies, exercise, and socializing to avoid burnout.

Chemistry/Science is fun because…

Chemistry and science are fun because they allow us to explore and understand the world around us in a creative and practical way. Whether it’s discovering new compounds, solving complex problems, or coming up with innovative solutions, there’s always something new to learn and experiment with.

What is your favourite molecule? 

If I had to choose a favorite molecule, I’d probably go with water (H₂O). It’s simple yet incredibly versatile, and it plays such a central role in life and chemistry.

If you were a piece of lab equipment, what would you be?

If I were a microscope, I would focus on detailed observation, helping to see the details that might be overlooked, and concentrating on in-depth analysis and insights.