Physicist Yeh Nai-shuang, a professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), who was recently elected as an academician of the 34th Central Research Institute of the Republic of China, has an impressive academic journey. At the age of 25, she obtained her Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and at 33, she became the youngest tenured female professor at Caltech. Her research spans across 2D materials, semiconductors, and superconductors, making significant contributions to pushing the limits of electronic device physics. Yeh Nai-shuang’s curiosity and deep understanding of phenomena are fueled by her research, with ‘fun’ being a key driving force.
Despite receiving recognition and accolades for her research, Yeh Nai-shuang attributes her success to the collective efforts of her research partners, students, and the guidance of her parents and mentors. She emphasizes that these achievements are a result of collaboration, stating, “This is a collective achievement, not mine alone.” Diligently conducting experiments and research, she often dedicates only one or two hours of sleep, actively exploring new knowledge with her students.
Born in Chiayi, Taiwan in 1961, Yeh Nai-shuang humorously admits she never had an “idol,” but her mother, Professor Yan Yi-qing, and her mentor at MIT, Mildred Dresselhaus, were always her driving forces. Drawing inspiration and encouragement from these two outstanding female scientists, she developed a diverse range of interests through her mother’s teachings of Tang poetry and classical music during her childhood.
Initially aspiring to pursue a literary path due to her love for literature, Yeh Nai-shuang’s encounter with a physics class at the age of 12 astonished her, as she discovered the fundamental laws of physics could explain everything from the smallest particles to the vast universe. While immersing herself in research, she still finds time to enjoy Los Angeles Philharmonic concerts, balancing work and life interests to maintain creativity and high work efficiency.
Recalling the era without the internet, Yeh Nai-shuang shared her experience of applying to MIT a year in advance due to the strict regulations in Taiwan at the time. Her first flight abroad for studies marked the beginning of her academic journey on the global stage, illustrating the challenges she faced as a scholar.
Upon beginning her studies in the U.S., Yeh Nai-shuang found herself amidst unfamiliar surroundings but embraced the state-of-the-art equipment in her research lab. The advanced laboratory facilities in the U.S. reshaped her perception, leading her to shift from theoretical to experimental physics. Engaging in experiments brought joy to her, allowing her to validate her ideas and design innovative solutions.
During her time at MIT, Dresselhaus provided Yeh Nai-shuang with ample research autonomy, encouraging her to ask questions freely, think flexibly, and innovate in her experiments. The professor’s dedication to helping her revise research papers and training her to present findings at academic conferences equipped Yeh Nai-shuang with the skills to showcase her research achievements.
Dresselhaus attentively listened to her students’ thoughts and generously praised their work, attributing research accomplishments to them. Yeh Nai-shuang learned not only how to conduct research but also how to become an outstanding scientist and educator from her mentor. Following Dresselhaus’s philosophy of respecting students and fostering independent thinking, Yeh Nai-shuang carries on these principles throughout her teaching career.
After completing her Ph.D., Yeh Nai-shuang worked as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT and IBM. A year later, she received offers from Harvard University and Caltech, choosing to move to the West Coast, becoming the only female professor in the Physics Department at Caltech at that time. At the age of 33, she became the first tenured Asian female professor at Caltech, specializing in Condensed Matter Physics research.
For Yeh Nai-shuang, immersing herself in research she loves brings the greatest joy. She believes in pursuing enjoyable pursuits, stating, “I must find something fun in whatever I do. When you love what you do, your chances of success increase.” Despite the demanding responsibilities of research and teaching, she approaches them with enthusiasm.
Currently, Yeh Nai-shuang’s research team is dedicated to developing ultra-thin 2D semiconductors. She enthusiastically shares her research on “very interesting” quantum materials, experimenting with different methods such as light and magnetic fields to test material reactions. Her breakthroughs in superconductor research and synthesizing graphene in room-temperature environments are widely regarded by academia and industry as significant achievements.
She views cutting-edge technology and basic science as two sides of the same coin, with theoretical and experimental physics complementing each other. Upholding the belief in embracing challenges, exploring new horizons, and ensuring that activities are engaging, Yeh Nai-shuang has embarked on her research journey, guided by the principles of “being knowledgeable, questioning, thoughtful, discerning, and diligent.” She encourages students to apply traditional Chinese wisdom, emphasizing the importance of broad learning, questioning, critical thinking, and practical implementation.
As a visiting professor at National Taiwan Normal University, Yeh Nai-shuang reminds Taiwanese students to cultivate their ability to ask questions. Compared to American students, she notices a lack of willingness among Taiwanese students to ask questions. Encouraging students to be proactive and inquisitive will help nurture their critical thinking and creativity.