Study as many cross-field courses as possible in addition to the fundamental courses, and participate in specific projects that interest you as early as possible. Keep yourself open-minded; listen carefully; do not be discouraged, even in difficulties and failures; and keep your curiosity.
When I was a kid, my parents bought me many autobiographies about scientists, including Marie Curie’s. I was fascinated by her story, especially her practice of studying without sleep or eating and how she was not afraid but responded calmly when she encountered difficulties in life or scientific research. This left a deep impression on me. Since then, I have been particularly eager to learn mathematics and physics well, and I also hope that one day I can be such a scientist.
I am fortunate to have been able to continue working on the cutting edge of research in the semiconductor industry after my PhD. Currently, I am working in the Electronic Design Automation, or EDA, field at Siemens to develop software tools that generate lithography photomasks which are used to physically manufacture chips used in all types of electronic devices. With the big data available in both design and fabrication, we are trying to use machine learning (ML) technology to help advance semiconductor manufacturing with higher yield and faster speed.
The biggest challenge in my career used to be being a full-time working mom when my son was very young. No matter how bad the sleep was the night before, I still had to work during the day, take care of my baby back at home, and then go back to work while he slept. I was frustrated initially, but I gradually understood this was just part of my life, and learned how to prioritize different tasks. This helped me tremendously in life later on—both in work and daily life.
I used to be reluctant to let my teachers and peers know that I didn’t understand certain problems in order to maintain my appearance as a good student, so I rarely asked questions. One day, my PhD adviser, Dr. Franco Cerrina, told me seriously that there are no stupid questions but stupid answers. He encouraged me to share what I was uncertain about, discuss it with others, and have no fears about speaking up. I wish I’d understood this earlier.
Yuansheng Ma
Distinguished Product Engineer, Siemens
Born in China / Resides in United States
Educational Background: PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
