Self-Disclosure
- I have a profound interest in researching machine learning (ML) algorithms, especially enjoying the meaningful and interesting applications of ML in life.
- I have a passion for photography, travel and outdoor sports, cherishing every deep connection I make along the way.
- I delight in craftsmanship, whether it’s assembling PCs and NAS systems or piecing together LEGO sets.
- I have a soft spot for animals, particularly hamsters and kitties.
Why Ph.D.?
In the early stages of my academic career, I focused on Financial Engineering and delved into various facets of finance, including managing a widely followed WeChat public account, overseeing a student fund boasting assets exceeding a million, and leading the Financial Engineering Club, where I organized numerous successful events. Despite these rewarding experiences, I felt a growing desire for a more impactful role, something beyond the zero-sum nature prevalent in finance. This realization steered me towards the dynamic fields of data science and computer science, areas which now form a significant part of my professional identity.
I was fortunate to engage in a collaborative exploration in Spectral Clustering (SC) for incomplete data alongside a Ph.D. senior, Mr. Fangchen Yu, under the mentorship of Prof. Wenye Li, culminating in the publication of a paper in NeurIPS in which I was second author. My role entailed advancing spectral clustering algorithms within the self-expressive learning framework, particularly focusing on $\ell_p$ norm regularization. I explored algorithmic variations under two different p-norm settings: the Schatten p-norm and the proximal p-norm, culminating in the development of the KSL-Pp and KSL-Sp models. Additionally, I derived an adaptive model, AKLSR, enhancing the basic optimization framework. This venture has been a reservoir of happiness, where acquiring knowledge in new domains and validating anticipated structures through theoretical derivations have brought me immense delayed gratification.
Also, there have been instances when intriguing research ideas remained unexplored due to my uncertainties about initiating the research process effectively. It’s my aspiration that a Ph.D. will endow me with the capabilities for independent research, allowing me to thoroughly investigate the subjects that pique my curiosity.
Why ML, Robotics and Optimization?
The advent of Machine Learning (ML) and, more specifically, Deep Learning (DL), has enriched our daily lives, allowing algorithms and robotics to converge in enhancing everyday convenience. Current applications like facial recognition, object detection, and computational photography are transformative, yet, there is still a myriad of challenges in recognition accuracy. I am eager to delve into this domain to advance algorithmic precision and optimization methods, with the ultimate goal of refining the intelligence of our daily technologies. Additionally, unraveling the principles behind these sophisticated algorithms will aid in capturing life’s moments with unparalleled quality and clarity.
I was particularly captivated by research that directly impacts real-life scenarios, such as developing intelligent home assistant robots and robotic aides that assist surgeons in medical procedures. This motivation led me to an internship at a robotics company, marking a significant turn in my career. Robotics captivated me as it provided a tangible medium to demonstrate the effectiveness of my algorithms. My focus shifted to the use of vehicles and drones, aiming to capture unique perspectives and engage in thrilling outdoor adventures, and hope to pioneer in designing neural networks tailored for robotic control algorithms.
In summary, a Ph.D. at the intersection of ML, Robotics and Optimization will equip me with the expertise to delve deeper into these fields, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to technology that touches lives every day.
A Glimpse Into My Future Aspirations
As my doctoral journey unfolds, I am eager to evolve my current expertise and delve into the untapped potentials of algorithmic science and artificial intelligence. I’m enthusiastic about collaborative endeavors and would be honored to contribute to a research collective that resonates with my academic passions. My overarching mission is to impart my own understanding to the global tapestry of knowledge, aiming to solve real-world challenges through impactful solutions.