Following the successful inaugural 2026 Chen Ning Yang Physics Competition, held to celebrate the legacy of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ning Yang and inspire the next generation of researchers, 21 University of Chicago undergraduate students traveled to Beijing for a three-day Physical Sciences Career Trek from August 31 to September 2. With academic backgrounds spanning physics, biology, mathematics, molecular engineering, and related fields, the students visited leading companies, research institutions, and innovation hubs to explore career pathways at the intersection of science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The Career Trek began at the UChicago Center in Beijing, where students heard from Dr. Lipeng Lai, PhD’12, Physics, co-founder of XtalPi, on “Innovation and Opportunities in the AI Era.” Drawing on his experience in physics, technology entrepreneurship, and scientific innovation, Dr. Lai shared perspectives on how artificial intelligence is reshaping research and industry, as well as the emerging opportunities for scientists and engineers in an increasingly interdisciplinary landscape. The visit also gave students an opportunity to tour the Center and connect with Beijing’s broader innovation ecosystem, including a visit to Plug and Play.
The following days brought students closer to Beijing’s biomedical, financial, and scientific research communities. They visited Anlong Biotech, founded by Dr. Chunlin Zhao, MBA’01, as well as Taikang Insurance, gaining insight into how scientific expertise can translate into innovation and enterprise. The group also visited the Institute of High Energy Physics and the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where students explored cutting-edge research and engaged with scientists working at the forefront of modern physics. Together, these experiences offered a broader view of the many pathways available to students in the physical sciences - from fundamental research to technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
