Driven by Passion – Zeng Ge’s Journey Pursuing Scientific Dreams (DPC)
以熱忱為內驅力 – 曾戈的科學逐夢之旅 (物理及化學系)

Study Motivation

Zeng Ge, an outstanding undergraduate graduate of the 2023/2024 Physics and Chemistry program at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), University of Macau (UM). In addition to winning the Best Final Year Project Award, she also received the Best of Department Award. Originally from Guangzhou, she chose to major in Physics and Chemistry due to her childhood passion for analytical thinking and scientific logic. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Chemistry of UM, with its research-oriented training model and focus on cultivating research capabilities, as well as its strong faculty, attracted her and laid the foundation for her future academic pursuits.

Unforgettable University Experiences

Benefiting from in-depth exchanges and discussions with professors, Zeng Ge started conducting research work in the laboratory under the guidance of professors as early as her freshman year, an opportunity that is relatively rare in other departments. She was fortunate to have the personal mentorship of professors such as Xing Guichuan, Sun Guoxing, and Li Haifeng, through which she participated in multiple summer research projects – experiences that played a decisive role in her academic growth. She also actively founded the Physical and Chemical Society of UM’s students’ union, serving as its first president, providing a platform for students to participate in international competitions and fun activities, promoting academic exchange and knowledge sharing. The society has successfully recruited over 80 members, leaving a valuable legacy for future generations.

Factors of Success

Zeng Ge’s final year project focused on the research of calcium-titanium perovskite LEDs, aiming to improve the yield rate. This original research not only has the potential to improve energy efficiency, but also has a significant impact on lighting technology and industry due to its low-cost and easily accessible raw materials. The biggest challenge she faced during the research process was the uncertainty of the experiments and the long hours of investment, even experiencing the difficulty of leaving the lab at 4 am. It was this inner drive and unyielding spirit that ultimately led to the successful completion of the project. Zeng Ge is particularly grateful for the friendly relationships she has built with the professors, who not only provided academic guidance, but also offered valuable advice on life and career planning. In addition, she completed a course offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology with excellent results, and attended a one-month summer programme at the University of Oxford to study image processing and machine learning – these interdisciplinary research experiences have further expanded her academic horizons and positively influenced her future research direction.

Looking to the Future

After receiving direct doctoral admission offers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Georgia, and the University of Connecticut in the US, Zeng Ge, considering family advice and the learning environment, chose the University of Connecticut, which offers a full scholarship of RMB 21.6 million (MOP 2.39 million). She believes this is an excellent opportunity to further her studies and experience a different cultural environment. This outstanding student from the Department of Physics and Chemistry has set an exemplary model for contemporary young scholars with her passion for physics, tireless efforts, and contributions to the academic community. Her experiences also inspire more students to pursue excellence and bravely explore the unknown realms of science.