From attempt to passion: CHEN Lizichen’s journey of scientific research at Zhejiang University

CHEN Lizichen, a 2020 undergraduate student majoring in Engineering Mechanics at the Chu Kochen Honors College, has accomplished remarkable feats during his four-year undergraduate journey, securing 13 scholarships and achieving top marks in 23 courses. His accolades include the Best Modeling Award at the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition and a prestigious gold medal at the International Engineering Mechanics Competition (Asian region). Throughout his undergraduate tenure, he seamlessly blended his passions with his academic pursuits, mastering the fundamentals of engineering mechanics while delving into advanced research in pursuit of a Ph.D. in the field. He has found his life's purpose and is committed to becoming a valuable scientific researcher.

Initially unfamiliar with his major, Engineering Mechanics, upon entering university, CHEN Lizichen's passion for mathematics and physics, coupled with familial support, propelled him to explore various avenues to find his research niche. Reflecting on his journey, he noted, Mechanics encompasses three domains: solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and biomechanics, each further divided into theoretical, experimental, and computational branches, totaling nine permutations. Discovering the right fit necessitated systematic exploration.

After extensive introspection and experimentation, CHEN Lizichen aligned his aspirations with the solid mechanics discipline, driven by its practical applications and its significance in addressing critical national economic challenges. He expressed, Solid mechanics serves as a cornerstone discipline with profound implications for our national development. I aspire to contribute to breakthroughs in key solid mechanics issues, thereby serving our nation's advancement. As his understanding deepened, CHEN Lizichen found himself increasingly engrossed in grappling with the intricacies of his field, often undertaking independent problem-solving ventures.

Reflecting on his academic journey, CHEN Lizichen attributes much of his success to his mentor, Professor CHEN Weiqiu, the dean of the School of Aerospace Engineering. Professor CHEN not only guided me into the realm of scientific inquiry early on but also instilled in me the virtues of rigor, precision, and relentless pursuit of excellence in research, emphasizing the importance of both the grand scheme and the minutiae.

Under Professor CHEN's tutelage, he was encouraged to embrace interdisciplinary and multi-level thinking in his research endeavors. He served as a guiding beacon, steering me towards a broader perspective. Thanks to his mentor's wisdom, CHEN Lizichen avoided many pitfalls and, alongside like-minded classmates, engaged in research projects that further solidified his commitment to his chosen field.

Beyond academic research, CHEN Lizichen also participated in numerous interdisciplinary competitions to broaden his horizons. He observed, Engaging in diverse competitions and collaborating with peers from various disciplines provides fresh perspectives and problem-solving approaches within my own field. During the International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition in 2023, CHEN Lizichen and his team needed to quantitatively model various biological processes. He discovered that integrating principles from mathematics, particularly dynamical systems theory, proved instrumental in addressing these challenges. Such cross-disciplinary thinking became routine for CHEN Lizichen, fostered by the vibrant academic environment of the Pilot Reform Program of Enrollment for Basic Subjects. He remarked, I might approach a problem through mathematical deduction, while others may tackle it using principles from electrical engineering. Healthy academic competition within the cohort spurred intellectual curiosity, clarifying truths through debate and enriching knowledge through discussion.

Engineering mechanics, as a deeply theoretical subject, demands not only agility of mind but also the ability to focus deeply. Unlike experimental work that requires hands-on experimentation and control setups, theoretical study often necessitates patient contemplation. When faced with hurdles, CHEN Lizichen would take a break, pacing around while mentally revisiting unsolved equations. Theoretical derivation with just pen and paper can be tedious and prone to dead ends, he acknowledged, but patience and sustained reflection sometimes yield flashes of insight, whether in dreams or during walks.

Throughout his undergraduate journey, CHEN Lizichen has garnered substantial achievements and has charted a clear path towards a Ph.D. program. I find great fulfillment in the focused pursuit of research. Moving forward, I intend to deepen my expertise in the field of mechanics, contributing as a valuable researcher in this domain. My aspiration is to propel the development of mechanics in China and contribute to the nation, society, and the future of this discipline.

Adapted and translated from the article written by MA Wenjing, ZHOU Xiang, CHEN Yongnan, TAN shuai(’24, Education)

Translator: ZHAO Hanle

Photo: CHEN Lizichen

Editor: HAN Xiao(’25 PhD, Education), TIAN Minjie