Yi Wang
Hometown: China
Undergraduate Degree: Mineral Processing Engineering
Research Title: Enhancing Mineral Grindability through Carbon Mineralization
Research Story: My research focuses on enhancing the grindability of minerals through carbon mineralization to improve grinding efficiency and reduce energy consumption—a significant portion of mining costs. Guided by Dr. Wencai Zhang, we aim to lower energy consumption in grinding process and decrease the environmental impact of mining operations, making it a crucial step towards more sustainable mineral processing.
Why did you choose the Mining and Minerals Engineering Department at Virginia Tech?
I chose the Mining and Minerals Engineering Department at Virginia Tech based on a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors. Firstly, Virginia Tech's environment, along with its exceptional academic reputation, will support both my academic and career development and I believe I will learn and grow here. Additionally, having studied Mineral Processing Engineering during my undergraduate and master's degrees, I have developed a deep interest in this field and look forward to furthering my career in this area. Virginia Tech is highly ranked in this specialty and offers an abundance of academic resources, which will provide a solid foundation and platform for my future job search.
What are your career aspirations after completing your degree?
After completing my studies, I hope to continue learning in this field, as I believe there are many interesting aspects yet to explore. Although I have not yet determined my future career direction, I am eager to go to the industry and apply what I have learned in the field of engineering. Since I have not yet had the opportunity to engage in real production activities, which feels a bit like theorizing without practical experience, I hope to enhance my knowledge and problem-solving skills through industry practice.
What are some of the ways that you are involved or want to become involved as a graduate student?
As a graduate student, I participate in research projects with my peers and advisors, focusing on carbon mineralization, which enhances my learning experience through literature reading and participation in lab experiments. I am also looking forward to working towards attending academic conferences and industry internships to broaden my horizons and build a professional network.
What is a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
I can now easily prepare a full table of dishes and desserts.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my spare time, I enjoy reading novels, watching TV series, baking or trying to create new dishes. Reading novels and watching TV can relax my brain and let myself go following the plot, and I'm particularly fond of criminal or horror series. Since I came to the U.S. and need to think about every aspect of my life, my baking and cooking skills have improved, and this positive feedback has made me more interested in researching and trying new things in this area. I like to make cheesecakes and traditional Chinese pastries such as mooncakes and date cakes.
What's your favorite place you have traveled?
When it comes to my favorite places I've traveled to, I must admit that I'm quite a homebody and haven't visited many cities. However, my favorite so far is Washington, D.C. I like it because there are a lot of museums covering different cultures and different areas of the world that can enrich my spiritual life. And the scenery and architecture are beautiful, I can't help but stop and take pictures while walking along the streets. I also tasted a variety of delicious food from different regions here, such as Thai, Chinese and Turkish food.
What's your favorite meal to eat or cook?
I really like spicy food, so when cooking for myself or dining with friends, I often choose dishes that are on the spicier side. Whether enjoying a meal alone or sharing with friends, hot pot is a great choice because it feels liberating to be able to put various ingredients like meat, vegetables, and meatballs into the pot. I often try Sichuan dishes on my own, such as stir-fried pork with chili peppers and Mapo tofu. Sometimes, eating spicy food is also a way to relieve stress.
