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‘Reinforcing my commitment to contribute to the scientific community’: Yan Yikuan’s research internship at the Max Planck Institute
13 November 2025
This summer, Yan Yikuan, a first-year physics student at St Peter’s, received travel funding to pursue a research internship at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. In this report, he shares about the internship's impact on his development as a young scientist:
‘With this award, I undertook a research internship at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP) in Germany, where I investigated nanoscale surface interactions within soft matter systems. The funding enabled me to collaborate directly with researchers at the partner laboratory and gain hands-on experience with advanced surface characterization techniques with Atomic Force Microscopy. Working within MPIP’s interdisciplinary team expanded my technical and analytical skills while deepening my understanding of soft matter physics. The experience was both scientifically rewarding and personally transformative.
This experience strengthened my ability to connect experimental design with theoretical modelling in soft matter physics. Working in a professional research environment enhanced my confidence, precision, and technical skills, while deepening my interest in interfacial phenomena. It also inspired me to pursue further research at the intersection of physics and materials science. Beyond technical development, I gained a greater appreciation for collaboration and open-data reproducibility as essential pillars of modern scientific practice. Living in Germany further broadened my cultural and academic perspectives.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the generous support I received, which transformed a theoretical idea into a tangible research outcome. This funding made possible hands-on experimentation that would have otherwise remained out of reach. This opportunity significantly advanced my academic and professional development, reinforcing my commitment to contribute meaningfully to the scientific community. Alumni generosity represents a direct investment in the next generation of researchers dedicated to expanding the frontiers of knowledge.’
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