Meet Yingru Song. Song is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University. Song is from China and is a Rice Graduate Ambassador. Ambassadors are students who represent the university and help prospective students gain knowledge of student life as a graduate student at Rice.
Song chose Rice as a graduate school because of the program’s strong fit with his research interests and his advisor, Geoff Wehmeyer. Song’s research focuses on the measurements of the thermal and electrical properties of carbon nanotube fiber. “Carbon nanotube is one of the best materials with excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, and improving the properties of macroscale size is key for applications,” said Song.
When he is not conducting research, he serves in various leadership roles within the Rice community. He is a part of the Rice Chinese Students and Scholars Association (RCSSA) and Rice Table Tennis Club on campus.
Song advises prospective students to use the closest resources to their potential advisor, the students, to help them make their decision regarding a future advisor.
“Choose the advisor carefully because they will be with you for at least five years and will have a big impact on your research and life,” said Song. “If you are unsure, feel free to talk to current students who are working with that advisor.”
Song advises current students to be aware of the possibilities and career choices they can venture into with their degree and not to place themselves in a single box.
“Think about your future career and market needs together,” said Song. “Even though you are a Ph.D. student, a research-related career is not the only and best choice for you.”
Outside of academics, Song enjoys drinking boba tea and going to Chinatown. “I also like to taste different kinds of wines and brews,” said Song. “They all have different cultures and stories behind the smell and taste.”
Graduate ambassadors can be contacted via email at gradambassadors@rice.edu. Yingru Song can be contacted directly by email at ys69@rice.edu.