Xinyu is an I-Form researcher based at NUI Galway.
Do you remember what you wanted to be (when you grew up) when you were 5 years old?
Superman.
Same question at age 10? Age 15?
Scientist for both.
What were you like as a school student around age 15/16?
Creative, and showing great interest in maths and physics.
What hobbies did you have as a teenager?
Basketball and strategy games.
What did you study at college, and where?
Mechanical Engineering in Nanjing, China.
How did you choose the college courses you applied for?
I’m good at maths and physics and interested in different machines.
What is your fondest memory of college days?
Collective life - lots of classmates studying, eating and playing together.
How would your parents describe what you do?
Material scientist.
How would your friends describe what you do?
3D printing researcher.
What do you actually do?
Research the mechanical behaviour of 3D printed material.
Tell me something cool about being a researcher.
You can do something different with others.
What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?
Lecturer in college.
If we could time travel to 2050 and you had to choose a job to do right now (real or imagined), what would it be?
Time traveller!
Read more about Xinyu's research