Dr XIAO Yinghong

Nanjing Normal University, China
Exchange to The Australian National University, Australia

As an active researcher in the field of materials science, nanotechnology and biosensors, I had been granted funding to conduct research overseas several times before. Even so, I was still very excited when I received the notification of “Congratulations on your success in the application for a 2009 Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship.” I knew of the Cheung Kong Group since it has a long history of supporting education and the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Fellowship is a very prestigious one. My colleagues held me in high esteem after I was awarded.

After staying in Canberra for two and half months, my life was greatly enriched, both at work and at home.

I believe it was a privilege for me to be a member of The Australian National University - a world-famous university. It gave me a platform to communicate with research scientists from all over the world. Libraries, workshops and labs full of state-of-the-art facilities gave me the perfect atmosphere and backdrop for studying and doing research work. My research group had multidisciplinary research directions including solid state materials, piezoelectric polymers, electrochemistry and biosensors, which would evidently help create sparks in the scientific research field. Monthly group meetings provided us with a forum for sharing results, discussing challenging issues and solving problems, which greatly helped me develop my knowledge and skills in my research arena. During those past two months, I made more achievements than originally expected.

My big boss was a strict supervisor as well as a good friend. He hosted a welcoming BBQ party at his house and even took me to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to see kangaroos! I was so excited to get the chance to see these creatures, which are so representative of Australia.

I also got the opportunity to live with a very nice Australian couple. The first thing I heard when I got back home after a day’s hard work in the lab was, “Yinghong, your dinner is on the table.” We cooked together every Sunday morning and ate our Sunday breakfast around the table. Afterwards, we would have a long talk, covering a variety of topics: politics, sports, travelling, culture differences, etc. I believe this kind of conversation leads to the strengthening of mutual understanding and friendship between the people of China and Australia.

My life in Australia was happy, enriching, and rewarding. I enjoyed my work and basked in the love of a big family!

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Fellowship for this rare opportunity to enhance the development of my research field in an international group. It meant a great deal to me. I will always cherish this experience.

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