My name is Xinyi Li. I'm currently pursuing research in biochemical analysis at the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University. My work lies at the intersection of several disciplines—including organic chemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. On any given day, I might be synthesizing small organic molecules, developing biological probes, analyzing high-throughput sequencing data, or writing code to process results. Juggling these diverse skill sets is certainly demanding, but it’s also been an incredible opportunity for intellectual growth.
When I first stepped into this field, I was mostly learning reactively—trying to keep up with unfamiliar concepts, struggling through failed experiments, and often feeling overwhelmed. There were moments when I doubted whether I was really cut out for research. But over time, as I slowly started making progress, those small victories—whether a successful synthesis or a clear trend emerging in the data—became deeply rewarding. The joy they brought often outweighed the frustration, reminding me why I chose this path in the first place.
As I grew more comfortable in the lab, I began to wonder: what if I could document and share this journey? What started as a simple idea quickly turned into action. I began recording snippets of my daily research life—lab routines, reflections on papers, thoughts on experiments—and sharing them as short videos on social media. I wanted to create an honest record of my PhD experience, but also offer something of value to others navigating similar challenges.
To my surprise, these videos resonated with a wider audience. The feedback I received—questions, advice, shared experiences—sparked meaningful conversations and encouraged me to think more critically about my work and how I communicate it. I started seeing my research not just through the lens of my own goals, but through the eyes of a broader community. Some people reached out to say that my videos helped them feel less alone in their struggles, or gave them a bit of inspiration—and that meant the world to me.
More than anything, this process brought a new dimension to my academic life. The PhD journey can be intense and isolating at times, filled with uncertainty and long hours. But capturing those moments on camera—whether it's a breakthrough in the lab, a late-night literature review, or a tough discussion about research direction—has helped me see them as meaningful milestones rather than just tasks on a to-do list. It's made the whole experience more human, more reflective, and ultimately, more joyful.
