Dr Huan Lian graduated with a PhD from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2014. Her research topic was multi-phase flows and her thesis title was "Droplet Preferential Concentration in Homogeneous and Isotropic Turbulence". Dr Lian is now a Postdoc Research Fellow at the University of Michigan.
What do you do currently?
"Currently I am a Postdoc Research Fellow in the Powertrain Control Lab at the University of Michigan. I am working on developing models of internal combustion engine for control purposes."
How did your time at Imperial shape what you are doing now?
"Imperial gathers many of the greatest minds. Everyday I have been learning from working with colleagues and staff(s). For example, the way people approach and dismantle scientific and engineering problems, the coffee break chats and talks on solving life puzzles, and the interesting differences between us and the neighbouring art students.
So everything, everyone and every single minute at Imperial has shaped me to the person I am and as a result what I am doing now."
What is your fondest memory of your time at Imperial?
"If I have to pick one, in a day with good weather after seemingly endless rain, all the group members gathered for a lunch picnic in the Hyde Park and fought over sandwich choices."
What are your plans for the future?
"I would like to have a career in academia, in the area of thermo-fluids with many real-world applications, i.e. automobile, aviation etc.
One of my supervisors once commented that a career in academia requires intelligence, diligence and persistence. There is limited effort I can make on the first one, so I will be working harder on the other two in the near and long future."
How would you advise current students?
"I would like to share something I myself believe in, which is to follow the heart and be brave and responsible for the consequences."
Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
"Stay hungry and stay foolish."