Every research journey begins with a spark of curiosity. For me, that spark ignited during my undergraduate years at Xi'an Jiaotong University, where I first encountered the fascinating intersection of technology and human behavior.

The Beginning: From Code to People

As a software engineering student, I spent countless hours writing code, optimizing algorithms, and building systems. But something always felt missing. I kept asking myself: Who are we building these systems for? How do people actually experience technology?

These questions led me to discover Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) – a field that answers exactly what I was looking for. It's not just about making technology work; it's about making technology work for people.

First Steps: Research Internships

My formal HCI journey started with an internship at the Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISCAS). Working under Prof. Teng Han, I got my first taste of VR research and user studies. The experience was transformative.

"The best interface is one that disappears, allowing users to focus on their goals rather than the tool itself."

Later, I had the incredible opportunity to join KAIST HCI Lab in Korea under Prof. Geehyuk Lee. This international experience broadened my perspective on research methodologies and collaborative work across cultures.

Finding My Research Focus

Through these experiences, I developed a clear research vision focused on:

• Wearable Computing: How can devices seamlessly integrate into our daily lives?
• Multimodal Interaction: How can we combine different input modalities for richer experiences?
• Context-Aware Systems: How can technology understand and adapt to user contexts?

The Road Ahead

Now, as a Ph.D. student at HKUST VisLab under Prof. Huamin Qu, I'm actively pursuing these research directions. I'm particularly excited about exploring how AR/VR technologies can capture spatial and environmental context to create more intuitive user experiences.

If you're considering a path in HCI research, my advice is simple: follow your curiosity, embrace interdisciplinary thinking, and never stop asking "why" and "how" about the technology we create.

Feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss HCI research or potential collaborations!