Class of 2024 graduate Lo Hsuan reflects on a meaningful undergraduate journey at SPMS, NTU, and how the experiences shaped his path toward graduate studies at MIT. From representing Singapore in international competitions to uncovering the collaborative nature of scientific research, he shares insights, growth, and advice for current students navigating their own academic journeys.
1. What made you choose SPMS and NTU for your undergraduate studies?
I chose to pursue physics for my undergraduate studies, and NTU was one of my top choices for several reasons. First, it is globally recognized, making its degree advantageous for future academic opportunities. Second, both the university and its faculty are relatively young, which contributes to a rapidly growing research environment.
2. What were some defining moments from your time at SPMS?
One of the most memorable moments was when my teammates and I represented Singapore in a global physics competition called PLANCKS during my fourth year. With participants from over 40 countries, we won 16th place. This experience demonstrated that the education I received at SPMS is globally competitive, and it gave me the confidence to pursue further studies.
3. Were there any professors, courses, or projects that left a strong impression on you?
I enjoyed the elective courses in the fourth year, especially Prof. Yong Ee Hou’s lectures on statistical mechanics. The course had a flexible but exploratory format, offering more than textbook-based learning. For example, the final project required students to reproduce the results of an actual research study. Our group chose to investigate traffic jams using the cellular automata method. Although not all techniques were covered in the lectures—something typical of real research—I found the process intellectually stimulating and motivating. In the end, we managed to reproduce the key results via simulation, gaining insights into how traffic jams occur in the real world.
4. Did you take part in any research, internships, or student activities during your studies?
I was involved in research projects supervised by Prof. Chong Yidong throughout my undergraduate studies, including my final year project. As I dedicated most of my time to research within SPMS, I did not pursue an internship. Outside of academics, I was a member of the NTU Choir and the dormitory volleyball team at Pioneer Hall.
5. How did your time at SPMS shape your interest in further studies or research?
While research can often feel individualistic and exclusive, I found the environment at SPMS to be strongly supportive. The professors offered constructive guidance, while my peers provided valuable emotional support. My time at SPMS not only strengthened my determination to pursue further studies but also pushed me to strive for greater achievements.
6. What’s something you learned at SPMS—inside or outside the classroom—that’s stuck with you?
I used to think of research as an individual pursuit—someone working alone in a lab, producing results that might be recognized if lucky. However, my research experience at SPMS changed this thought. I learned that impactful research comes from pursuing novel ideas and resolving meaningful problems in the scientific community. This idea has influenced me, and I believe it will continue to guide me throughout my career.
7. How do you think SPMS prepared you for this next chapter at MIT?
I believe the undergraduate coursework at SPMS is quite rigorous, including weekly assignments, projects, exams, and presentations. SPMS also encourages students to take graduate-level courses in their fourth year, which has helped prepare me for graduate study. Additionally, my participation in undergraduate research projects—such as URECA, Odyssey, and my final year project—provided hands-on experience and a good introduction to academic research. I believe this training has equipped me well for graduate studies, even at one of the world’s top institutions.
8. What are you most looking forward to as you begin graduate school?
I look forward to engaging in research projects that are impactful and realizable within the next five years. I’m particularly interested in the intersection between artificial intelligence and physics—both how AI can transform physics research, and vice versa. I’m also excited to deepen my understanding of the fundamentals of condensed matter physics and explore their applicability throughout my graduate studies.
9. Any advice for current students thinking about their future paths?
I encourage current students to get involved in some form of research during their undergraduate, as it can offer important insight into their future direction. While not everyone must pursue further studies, the skills gained through research—such as critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving—are highly transferable to many careers. If you find research fulfilling and manage to make some contributions, graduate school could be a good path to push your limits further. If not, the experience can still help you make an early decision to explore alternative career paths.
10. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your first-year self at SPMS?
I am generally very satisfied with my time at SPMS. If I could go back, I would advise myself to explore more cross-disciplinary topics, such as computational theories. I’ve come to realize its importance for research, though I found it challenging to catch up with during my projects.