Dr Wenping Yin’s PhD focused on studying the dynamics in LEDs and solar devices by time-resolved spectroscopy, which can be measured on the nanoscale. But her own evolution to become “a true scientist” - and an important role model for girls and women aspiring to a career in academia - has been a more gradual process. And with both personal ambitions and the wider fight to achieve gender equality in STEM disciplines among her objectives, Wenping’s important journey is far from over.
After completing her undergraduate degree in Shandong Normal University in China and gaining a PhD in engineering from Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, Wenping moved to Monash University, where she works as a research fellow in the Materials Science and Engineering department, with research interests in photoluminescent chemical sensors and organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite. While she was always interested in science growing up, the young Wenping might have been surprised to learn what her future day-to-day role would look like.
“My idea of being a scientist as a child was very different to the reality,” she said.
“So after I really started my research career I realised there are so many detailed things we have to follow up. That’s when I realised what it means to be a true scientist.”
One element of her professional reality that does match the imagination of a naturally inquisitive child is the robust, respectful exchange of concepts and viewpoints that takes place within the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science.
“I like people sitting down together to make and build their ideas ... people talk about their research and sometimes they argue about different processes and what they have done,” she said.
“I enjoy the friendly atmosphere here between workmates. And also the communication and cooperation between the different groups and nodes of the universities. It’s much easier because of the Centre existing.
“Here the researchers really care about the science, the society. Which is what I thought scientists should be when I was young. It shouldn’t just be, ‘this is my idea’ or ‘this is my work’. Communication is always important.”
Among the Centre’s objectives is a firm commitment to encourage gender equality among students and researchers at all levels. It’s a cause that is close to Wenping’s heart, and a change she is helping to lead through her professional success and the impact of her research.
“I think it’s important,” she said.
“The reality is there weren’t many female scientists in STEM fields. I think one of the reasons women can struggle in their research career [is because] people may ignore some of your ideas because you are a female.
“Only when you reach a certain professional level, people will start to understand and listen to you. But before that level, the identity of being female is always greater than that of being a scientist. Most of the time when I attend a conference, especially an international conference, people will look at me as a student just by appearance. I hope it’s different in the future. This is why I need to gain the respect by further development, I need to fight against this situation.
“I want to get to a higher academic position in Australia. I want to prove to the female scientists here, especially for spectroscopy [that they can] be successful.”
And Wenping is well on the way to achieving that goal, as evidenced by the fact she will join the leadership team of Exciton Science in 2020 as Platform Leader for Research Platform 3.1 - Excitonic Sensors.
