In September 2024, on the recommendation of Prof. Fang Yu, I had the privilege of traveling to Singapore to join Prof. Liu Xiaogang’s research group for study and exchange, marking the beginning of my one-year postdoctoral fellowship. This was the first time in my life that I had set foot outside my home country to travel to an unfamiliar land; my excitement at departure was always tinged with a hint of anxiety about the unknown. Upon landing in Singapore, the lush tropical greenery, the warm and humid sea breeze, and the English spoken with various accents on every street corner all blended together to form my most vivid and profound first impression of this city.

After joining the research group, I quickly adjusted to my new environment and immersed myself in this entirely new world of scientific research. At every group meeting, Prof. Liu would first check in on everyone’s well-being and ask about our weekend activities before formally beginning the academic discussion. We would collectively engage in critical readings of the literature, dissecting high-quality papers one by one to identify their innovative highlights, research strengths, and areas for optimization and further exploration. Finally, we would report on our progress, share our research challenges, and discuss innovative ideas. It was through these repeated exchanges of ideas during group meetings that I came to appreciate the diversity and inclusivity of scientific research: although we all specialize in the field of luminescent materials, each person’s research approach and core focus differ. In the past, my research tended to focus more on delving into underlying mechanisms and analyzing intrinsic patterns. Later, through regular group meetings and academic exchanges, I gradually accumulated a wealth of experimental knowledge, achieving a complementary balance between theoretical and experimental understanding.

Prof. Liu’s research group focuses on molecular design. By leveraging theoretical calculations to identify scientific principles, he specifically modifies and optimizes molecular structures to achieve ideal physicochemical properties. He excels at using theoretical calculations to predict experimental directions, design experimental protocols, and propose strategies for optimization and improvement. He meticulously documents every research insight, project consideration, and actionable molecular design concept in dedicated files. Over time, this has resulted in a vast collection of research directions ripe for further exploration and practical application.

The path of scientific research is never easy. In the day-to-day process of exploration, there is both the joy of breakthroughs and the frustration of stagnation. I have gradually found my own way to manage stress and establish a research rhythm. Every afternoon, I take a leisurely stroll around the campus track. At first, it was simply a way to clear my mind and relieve stress, but many research problems that had troubled me for a long time often became crystal clear in that relaxed state, and entirely new research ideas would emerge as a result.

Whenever my research hits a roadblock or progress stalls, I step out onto the balcony, where, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, I enjoy a box of fresh durian to briefly relieve the pressure of my work. Precisely because of Singapore’s strict regulations prohibiting the consumption or storage of durian indoors, these moments of solitude and healing feel all the more precious. After a brief respite, I refocus my mind and return to the lab. I’ve seen the Singaporean sky between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., witnessed the bright lights of the lab late at night, and gradually honed my professional skills while refining my scientific mindset.

I am deeply grateful for all the encounters and support I have received along the way. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Fang for her thoughtful support and warm encouragement, which allowed me to set aside my concerns, shed my burdens, and travel abroad with peace of mind to pursue my studies. Whenever I encountered research challenges or felt anxious, Prof. Fang would always patiently guide me, offer comfort, and encourage me, allowing me to face difficulties with composure and move forward with determination. I am also deeply grateful to the faculty members at Shaanxi Normal University and the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering for their attentive assistance, as well as to all the faculty and students in our research group for all the support and encouragement they have given me over the past year.

Through my daily life and research in Singapore, I shed my confusion, found inner peace, identified my research direction, and gained clarity about my true purpose in life. This academic journey across mountains and seas has not only deepened my academic knowledge but has also been a journey of personal growth and transformation.