Hongyou Fan offers tools of success for other scientists

Early-career scientists often find it tough to get noticed in the competitive arena of scientific research. In a recent interview with Lab News, Hongyou Fan shared his insights on navigating these challenges and building a fulfilling research career.

Hongyou emphasizes the importance of tackling significant challenges. “Identify problems that matter,” he said. “Look for gaps in existing knowledge that haven’t been addressed yet.” By keeping an eye on emerging trends, researchers can pinpoint areas ripe for innovation.

For Hongyou, this meant diving deep into the mysteries of nanoparticles. “How closely can they approach each other? Can they make contact? What happens if they do?” These questions led to groundbreaking discoveries about nanoparticle behavior and the creation of a pressure-induced assembly method.

“Solving real-world problems often results in impactful outcomes like influential publications, patents or industrial applications,” he said.

In a profession where the pressure to publish can be intense, Hongyou champions quality over quantity. “Early in your career, it’s easy to feel the need to publish frequently, but focusing on groundbreaking work is far more rewarding,” he said. His first paper on high-pressure nanomaterials assembly took more than three years to publish but opened new research avenues and led to patented technologies.

Engaging with the scientific community is crucial, says Hongyou. Attending and presenting at conferences helps build a reputation and forge connections. “Conferences provide a platform to showcase your research and exchange ideas,” he said. He encourages researchers to present their work, even if it’s still in the early stages. Organizing symposiums on specific topics can boost visibility and establish researchers as thought leaders. “Facilitating knowledge sharing increases your profile and can lead to new collaborations,” he said. Networking at these events can pave the way for joint projects and co-authorships.

Hongyou also underscores the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Working with experts from diverse fields can spark innovative solutions that might not emerge within a single discipline. His partnership with Sandia’s pulsed power team, for example, allowed them to explore ultrafast nanomaterials manufacturing — a breakthrough none could have achieved alone. “By leveraging each other’s strengths, we tackled complex problems more effectively,” he said.

Strategic partnerships with institutions that offer complementary resources can further boost research efforts. Hongyou’s collaboration with synchrotron teams accelerated their understanding of material structures under pressure, drawing greater attention to their work.

Persistence is key when facing setbacks, according to Hongyou. “Recognition and success don’t come easily or overnight,” he said. He recalled the challenges he faced, including multiple rejections before publishing his first papers. “Each setback taught us valuable lessons. Don’t be discouraged by early challenges; keep refining your approach,” he said.

Focusing on long-term goals is essential for building a successful research career, he added. “Successful careers are built over time through consistent effort and a willingness to learn from failures,” Hongyou said. “Patience combined with persistence ultimately leads to breakthroughs and recognition.”