The University of Waterloo is a place of transformation—a university that inspires innovation and cultivates the courage to explore. My time at Waterloo shaped my perspective on the interconnection between fundamental and applied sciences, instilled empathy as a leader, and guided my career journey.
I came to Waterloo in 2004 after completing my Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry at Peking University in 2003 and subsequently moving to the University of Helsinki in Finland for postdoctoral research. My work during these years centered on capillary electrophoresis. It was a scientifically vibrant field but left me uncertain about its long-term trajectory, as its translation into broad industrial applications remained unclear. I began to question my future—whether I should pursue an academic career, move into industry, or seek new directions altogether. Despite these doubts, my passion for analytical chemistry never faded.
At Waterloo, I had the great fortune of joining the research group of Dr. Janusz Pawliszyn, an opportunity that would define this chapter in my life and career. In Dr. Pawliszyn’s lab, I worked on the emerging application of capillary electrophoresis for characterizing charge heterogeneity in protein therapeutics. I was able to integrate my interdisciplinary background in drug research into Imaged Capillary Isoelectric Focusing Technology (icIEF) studies, exploring protein-protein, protein-lipid, and protein-drug interactions. Dr. Pawliszyn encouraged me to choose my own research direction while also paying close attention to experimental precision and details. His biweekly discussions, often accompanied by papers he had recently read, constantly pushed me to refine my ideas and seek creative solutions.
My experience at Waterloo was intellectually stimulating and deeply formative. I learned to embrace analytical challenges, to innovate within a focused platform, and to find joy in solving problems. I also benefited immensely from the wisdom and generosity of senior colleagues, such as Dr. Zhen Liu and Dr. Tiemin Huang, who freely shared their insights and experiences. Importantly, during this period I came to realize that the career of a scientist does not have to be limited to academia. Observing the impacts of Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) and icIEF developed in Pawliszyn’s lab across food safety, environmental science, and biopharmaceutical regulation, I gradually understood that industry could provide equally vast and meaningful opportunities to contribute to science development.
I subsequently moved into pharmaceutical research in Europe and later returned to China Beijing, where I began my career in scientific instrumentation. My roles at Agilent, Thermo Fisher, and now as Chief Marketing Officer of Advanced Electrophoresis Solutions Ltd. (AES, Cambridge, Ontario) till now have integrated both technology development and leadership. Throughout this journey, the influence of my postdoctoral experience at the University of Waterloo has remained profound.
In 2022, I returned with my family to Waterloo, continuing the path that first took shape during my postdoc years. At AES located in Cambridge Ontario, I remain committed to advancing icIEF technology and building upon the endowment of innovation fostered at Waterloo. Dr. Pawliszyn has continued to support me with his wisdom and his community influence, for which I am deeply grateful.