Grace Xiaoying holds a PhD and MPhil degrees in Physics from the University of Cambridge, as well as a BSc in Physics from University College London.
Grace’s PhD research specialises in micro rheology of complex fluids. That is the study of how things flow at the nano- to micro-meter regime. By using DNA as ‘smart glue,’ polymers such as Pluronic® can be end-functionalised, allowing them to form intricate structures in water that can be precisely controlled by temperature. This in turn makes the temperature at which such system goes through phase transition (i.e. from liquid to gel and reverse) controllable.
This type of study is mainly done by looking at how these structures interact with light. She has hands-on experience with a range of optical setups, from custom-built optical tweezers to electron accelerators at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France. Additionally, she has engaged in numerical modelling of these systems, incorporating machine learning algorithms to analyse interactions between micro-sized particles. Her PhD work was conducted in collaboration with research teams from Spain, Norway, China, and France.
While at Cambridge, Grace also gained valuable experience working with a start-up focused on automating IP licensing systems using blockchain technology.
She is fluent in Mandarin. In her spare time, she enjoys playing music in a rock band and rowing.
