Meet Qianxi He
Qianxi, currently a Postdoctoral Fellow, Instructor, and Machining and Materials Expert at McMaster University, holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University, earned in 2022.
A fun fact about Qianxi is her establishment and management of a public social media account, where she shares travel guides, food exploration, and life inspiration. Additionally, during her PhD program, Qianxi developed novel coating combinations with superior mechanical properties and tribological characteristics, significantly extending the cutting tool lifespan. Additionally during her PhD program, she developed novel coating combination with superior mechanical properties and tribological characteristics, which extended a cutting tool life of 1.3-5 times longer than the commercial inserts. As a result, she published 4 high-IF, Q1-ranking journal papers as the first author and defended her thesis earlier than normal requirement. As a postdoc researcher in recent 2 years, she guided graduate students and further published 7 more journal papers, which makes her feel proud and valuable.
When did your love of STEM begin?
Mechanical engineering has been in my family for two generations, and it was in such a family environment that my interest in the field began. As mechanical engineering professors, my father and grandfather usually discuss their research at home. The discussion about their mechanical and mechanics designing and robotic projects sparked my interest at my young age. When I was in high school, I participated a science and technology innovation competition held in Liaoning Province. I designed foldable storage shelves as an easy solution to save space and transport goods. My design won first prize and received a utility model patent. Both my family influences and the successfully product designing enhanced my confidence that I belonged to engineering.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
One of the best parts about working in STEM is the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and discovery. STEM fields are constantly evolving, presenting exciting challenges and the chance to make groundbreaking contributions to society. Additionally, the collaborative nature of STEM encourages teamwork and interdisciplinary approaches, fostering a sense of community and collective progress. I am excited, as a female researcher, to conduct scientific research, develop novel technology, and apply it to the real manufacturing. The combination of research, application and education make it valuable.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
Don't be afraid! Trust your abilities and know that you belong in STEM just as much as anyone else. Your unique perspective and contributions are valuable.