Xiaojuan Cui

Assistant Researcher, Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Country of Birth: China

Educational Background: Co-PhD Physics, University of the Littoral Opal Coast, France and Chinese Academy of Sciences; MSc Optics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; BSc Applied physics, Yantai university, China

I read all kinds of books as a child, and the story of Edison inventing the electric light impressed me very much; it still is one of the most impressive stories I have ever read. After that, I became very interested in the scientific study of optics.

As a researcher in an institute, my current job is the development of photonic instrumentation for applied spectroscopy, optical metrology of trace gases for applications in atmospheric photochemistry and environmental science. I also need to finish my programs which are supported by the young scientists' fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Accordingly, a ‘genius' is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.

If you are interested to find a career in STEM, please don't hesitate! Believe in yourself. Don't be afraid of losing, or you will have no chance to lose. Never underestimate your power to change yourself! One needs three things to be truly happy living in the world: something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.