“This journey included moments of fatigue and pressure from study and research, laughter with friends, critiques and encouragement from teachers, and times of facing the pain of growth alone, as well as warmth and acceptance from all around. If given the chance to choose again, I would still put HIT as my first choice.”
—Peng Zhao
Basic Background
Peng Zhao, a 2026 graduate of the School of Future Technology, has been inducted into the “Future Talent” program. He has published one research paper in a top-tier journal as the first author, with two more under review, and has applied for one invention patent. He has won seven national and provincial awards in competitions such as the HIT “Idea” Fund, the “Chunhui” Innovation Achievement Award, the “Challenge Cup,” the “Guangwei Cup,” and the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship competition. His graduation thesis was awarded the “University Outstanding Graduation Thesis.” He received the National Inspirational Scholarship twice, earned first-class People’s Scholarship and over 10 university-level Excellent Student awards. He served as a tour guide at the University Aerospace Museum and as the class monitor for the inaugural ShanYi Class for four consecutive years, helping the class earn seven university-level honors.
Undergraduate Reflections: Warm Memories
When I received the interview invitation, my first thoughts were not about research awards but about the days I spent with my friends. As I scrolled through the photos on my phone, my eyes slowly welled with tears.
When I first arrived at HIT, I was not good at expressing myself and was quite impulsive, which even caused conflicts with classmates. As an inexperienced and imperfect class monitor, I was fortunate to receive their forgiveness, which allowed me to grow together with the class. Together, we organized “ShanYi Mini-Lectures” and the “ShanYi Forum.” We held New Year’s Eve parties and Aerospace Day painting activities. We also created a class public account to document our growth, eventually leading our class to win first place in the comprehensive evaluation and earn the title of “University Advanced Class Benchmark.”
A Journey of Knowledge: From Books to Practice
HIT was my top choice when I applied. The recruitment teachers’ promotion of the university’s motto, Stringent Standards and Professional Proficiency,” and its vision of “Aerospace Orientation and National Defense Service” deeply attracted me. I yearned to contribute to national development with technology.
When I first entered the university, I continued my high school habit of listening to lectures and solving practice problems, and my grades were decent. However, I often wondered: If my university life is merely focused on achieving high scores, how is it different from being in an advanced high school? During a meeting with our class advisor, President Han told us that we must not confine ourselves to textbooks. We must learn through practice and research, studying what is needed when it is needed. Inspired by his words, I turned to project-based learning. My classmates and I bought components and assembled a 3D printer ourselves to understand its principles. In the first-year project competition, I independently learned 3D modeling, microcontroller programming, and piezoelectric material principles, eventually earning first prize with the third-highest score in the school.
Moving Forward: Guidance Both Stern and Gentle
As a sophomore, I participated in the ShanYi class’s unique “Aerospace Science and Technology Innovation Challenge Research.” Unlike group projects that involve teamwork, this task required each individual to work independently. As a complete newcomer to scientific research, I was initially clueless about many tasks.
During my first topic presentation, I faced a review panel including President Han and other professors from the Composite Materials Institute. I received harsh criticism on every detail—from the PPT design and report structure to the presentation delivery itself. Feeling deeply ashamed, I vowed to improve. At that time, the heavy course load and tight preparation schedule made it tough, but I persisted in improving bit by bit after each critique. Even when my presentation the next month received more criticism, or errors were pointed out again the following month, I never gave up. Slowly, by my junior year, things started improving.
Dedicated Research: From Exploration to Achievement
Later, I joined the research team of Academician Leng Jinsong, where I dedicated myself to the study of flexible electronics out of pure interest. From reviewing literature and researching potential directions to discussing ideas with professors and senior peers, I eventually settled on a topic: designing a flexible wireless electronic stimulation device tailored for spinal biomechanics to aid in spinal cord treatment. This area was almost entirely unexplored within the team, so I independently handled tasks such as structural design, sample encapsulation, mechanical and electrical testing, and biological experiments. Without existing procedures to follow, I had to figure things out step by step. Although the process was time-consuming and challenging, it significantly enhanced my problem-solving skills. Finally, my results were successfully published in the top-tier journal Nano Energy (IF = 17.1).
Campus Life: Fond Warm Memories During Undergraduate Years
Outside academics, HIT provided me with abundant warmth and excitement. I learned ice skating and swimming, participated in marathons and hiking, and even experienced snow-clearing on campus and working as a tour guide at the Aerospace Museum. I was fortunate to engage in exchange programs in Hong Kong, Thailand, and the UAE, broadening my international perspective.
During my years at HIT, I always felt an unseen force driving me forward. Though I may not be exceptionally talented, HIT offered me a broad platform and the courage to explore boldly. Even during periods of doubt, it provided me with the guidance and reassurance I needed to move toward a more solid and excellent path.
A Place to Belong: HIT Will Always Be My Home
HIT has always been my first choice. Now that I’ve been selected for the “Future Talent” program, I hope to stay at HIT and teach after graduation. With this sense of belonging, I aspire to grow alongside generations of students and walk with HIT into a brighter future.
If you ask me where my home is, I’d say it’s at No. 92 West Da Zhi Street.
When the wind blows, I think of coming back.
