Ji Sijie- 2024 Schmidt Science Fellow

This prestigious recognition is a testament to Si Jie Ji's exceptional talent and promise in the scientific community. Check out her testimonial below.

“I am incredibly honored to be the first from NTU to be awarded the Schmidt Science Fellowship. Looking back, NTU has been more than just a university to me—it has truly been my home, a place where I lived, felt safe, and was free to grow exuberantly.

I’ve created countless cherished memories here—whether it was scrambling to prepare for my PhD qualifying exam just one night after organizing the GSA 10th anniversary, dancing all night for JDC at Minerva, or suppering with friends in their hall after HOCC. I vividly recall burning out and crying for over half an hour on the Lee Wee Nam footbridge, overwhelmed with guilt and gratitude for having my friends keep falling for my WiFi-based fall detection research project. Though that bridge may no longer stand, the emotions I felt there will stay with me forever. Being elected GSA President was another highlight, and I will never forget the surprise party the GSA seniors threw for me on the top floor of GH2. Collaborating with university senior management on the oneNTU taskforce and sharing my deepest, most painful memories on the HeForShe panel etc. The extended NTU family has given me so much love and support. My lab manager, Toh, was always on the front line to support when I needed devices or cables. The Mala auntie at Can A always gave me extra peanuts, and the Can 11 auntie would start preparing my Teh C Kosong, as soon as I walked through the door. I ended my days by saying goodnight to the campus bus drivers, who sometimes gave me snacks from China. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my journey at NTU. As I see from the incredible accomplishments of my peers, I feel NTU allows each of us to shine in our own ways.

I am thrilled to receive this fellowship and join a community of like-minded researchers. I have always loved adventure and the unknown—I earned my windsurfing license without knowing how to swim and began my PhD research with no prior background. While PhD training makes you an expert in your field, it can also narrow your perspective. Postdoctoral training in a different discipline offers the chance to ignite new ideas, discover new things, and potentially bridge communication between fields. I will strive to excel in both disciplines, but even if I don’t, I believe the journey itself will be a unique and rewarding experience. I hope to return to NTU as a faculty, giving back to the community that has shaped and nurtured me.” --- Ji Sijie | CCDS PhD Graduate| Schmidt Science Fellow 2024 at California Institute of Technology

The Schmidt Science Fellows program is designed to support outstanding early-career researchers in their pursuit of transformative scientific discoveries. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity for fellows to collaborate across disciplines and advance their research with substantial funding and support. For more information on Schmidt Science Fellows: https://schmidtsciencefellows.org/.