Women in Research #LINO24: Xuemei Gu

Xuemei from China is an Alexander-Von-Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany.

Her research uses artificial intelligence to uncover new physical phenomena in complex quantum systems and develop quantum-enhanced hardware for practical applications, including metrology and sensing technologies.

Xuemei participated in the 73^rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Enjoy the interview with Xuemei and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

I think my inspiration to pursue a career in science stems from a strong curiosity and a passion for exploration. I feel very happy when learning new things and discovering new phenomena, which motivates me to continue my journey in science.

Who are your role models?

I do not have a specific role model. However, I greatly admire my PhD supervisors and postdoc principal investigators for their genuine kindness, willingness to share their knowledge, and the support they provide me. I respect anyone who faces challenges bravely and relentlessly pursues their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

I started my career path relatively late and didn’t realize my direction early on. Driven by my curiosity, I have explored many different fields. I initially worked extensively in electrical engineering, focusing on building practical measurement devices during my bachelor’s and master’s studies. Toward the end of my master’s, I developed a strong desire to understand algorithms and computational theory, which led me to pursue a PhD in computer science at Nanjing University.

Before officially starting my PhD, my supervisor suggested I attend a summer school on quantum information organized by the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha. This was my first exposure to quantum mechanics, and during those 15 days, my interest in quantum information grew significantly. However, being in a typical computer science department, there weren’t many professors working in quantum information. It was difficult to know whether I correctly understood some quantum aspects through self-study. Therefore, I applied for the Chinese Government Scholarship to support my studies abroad in quantum physics. After many rejections, I was fortunate to receive a kind offer from Professor Anton Zeilinger. I am very thankful for his support and kindness.

During my 2.5 years at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, I found quantum mechanics fascinating and was deeply influenced by Professor Zeilinger. This experience motivated me to continue my postdoctoral research in experimental quantum optics, where I wanted to learn more advanced quantum techniques. I then moved to the University of Science and Technology of China to work under the supervision of Professor Chaoyang Lu for two years, where I greatly expanded my expertise in quantum techniques.

Although my initial plan was to stay as an experimental quantum physicist, I found that artificial intelligence will greatly help experimentalists, especially as many parts of our quantum experiments were controlled by algorithms and various electrical devices. This led me to return to computer science to learn more advanced artificial intelligence techniques, which I plan to apply in quantum physics experiments. Currently, I am an Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellow, supporting my own research project to discover new quantum-enhanced hardware for practical applications.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

All my projects are cool, but one of my favorites was experimentally sorting radial modes of light during my visiting Ph.D. in Vienna. At that time, it was unknown how to achieve this in the laboratory. I used my computer science background and insights from group discussions to develop a computer program with simple beam propagation techniques to discover new ideas and solutions for the project. Implementing these solutions in the lab was incredibly exciting, especially since it was my first optical experiment, and I had no prior experience with real optical setups. This experience highlighted the usefulness of integrating knowledge from different fields to solve complex problems.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

There have been many moments when I have felt immense pride in myself and my work. Being chosen to participate in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Physics is definitely one of them. Another proud moment was receiving the email informing me that I had been awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship to start my own project. Additionally, whenever I meet someone at a conference who tells me they have read my papers and appreciated my ideas or experiments, I feel very happy and proud of my work.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

I enjoy the flexibility of my schedule when doing research; every day can be different. In my current role, I usually wake up around 9:00 am, ride my bike to the office, and start the day by checking and replying to emails. Afterward, I move on to coding – reviewing, programming, and debugging, which is a common part of my work. Lunch and coffee breaks are perfect times to catch up and discuss new ideas with colleagues. My afternoons are often spent coding further and attending meetings to discuss collaborative projects. I often work until midnight. Additionally, I stay updated by reading the latest articles published in various journals, either in the evenings or on weekends.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I want to stay curious and contribute to the scientific community through my work. I hope I can get funding to continue my research and establish my own research group. I enjoy teaching and supervising students and find great joy in helping them discover their potential and motivating them to pursue their dreams.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

When I’m not doing research, I enjoy reading books, especially while sitting in the sun. To relax, I sometimes paint, garden, or cook. I also like to stay active by biking and hiking.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

Follow your curiosity and passion, and most importantly, have fun with your research. Try to learn how academic careers work as early as possible, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice from your mentors and peers. I didn’t realize this when I began my research journey, and I believe that the earlier you know, the fewer twists and turns you will face. Take every challenge as an opportunity for growth, and remember that your unique perspective also adds valuable contributions to your field. Don’t be afraid of failures; instead, treat them as valuable learning experiences. Engage actively and share your ideas with others. Stay persistent, keep learning, and believe in yourself.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

That’s an interesting question. I believe the next significant breakthrough in science will likely come from the synergy between artificial intelligence and quantum mechanics. While I’m not entirely sure in what way this will happen, I hope my research can contribute to this breakthrough.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

To increase the number of female scientists, it’s important to spark their interest from an early age. Promoting STEM education for girls through targeted outreach programs and engaging educational materials is crucial. Creating supportive academic environments, including providing scholarships and grants specifically for women, is also essential. Additionally, implementing policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working hours and parental leave, can help female scientists in their careers.