During high school, I was deeply inspired by a fellow student, a remarkable woman who defied gender stereotypes in physics by excelling and ranking first at the 30th Chinese Physics Olympiad. Her achievements motivated me not only to pursue physics but also to challenge myself in the same male-dominated competition. This experience was instrumental in me pursuing a career in optics. Her example continues to drive my commitment to inspire other women in science.

My primary responsibility is working in the nanofab and our optical lab. My research focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of optical devices on a silicon carbide platform. I make these optical devices in a cleanroom, and after building them, I optically characterize the samples by shining lasers on them and detecting the corresponding transmission.

One of my greatest accomplishments has been the development of a low-loss 4H-silicon-carbide-on-insulator integrated photonics platform. Our work in silicon carbide nanofabrication is state-of-theart, achieving optical quality factors in the 5-10 million range. This work represents a major step forward in the field of photonics, enabling more efficient and powerful optical devices that can be used in both classical and quantum domains.

The world of STEM turns curiosity into innovation that can greatly benefit our society. My advice for young girls and women considering STEM is to hold on to your passion strongly and consistently. Never let stereotypes or doubts about your abilities control your choices. The journey in fields like optics and engineering can be challenging but is also immensely rewarding. Never underestimate the power of curiosity. Ask questions, explore different areas of interest, and let your curiosity guide you to new and exciting findings.

I wish someone had told me earlier about the importance of resilience and adaptability. In research and development, setbacks are not just barriers — they provide chances to learn and grow. Every experiment that doesn’t go as planned teaches you something valuable. Learn from these experiences; use them to move forward.

Recently, I spoke with a woman who works in hardware technology. She was very supportive and gave me a lot of advice; it was refreshing and inspiring to connect with someone who is navigating a similar path. She mentioned how glad she was to discuss these topics with a female student in tech. This experience made me even more eager to support young girls and women in the field of optics.

Ruixuan Wang
PhD Candidate, Carnegie Mellon University
Born in China / Resides in China
Educational Background: BS in Physics, Nanjing University, China; MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, United States