Hao Zhang Liu

What was your motivation for becoming a Helix Lab Fellow?

It all comes down to the amount and type of expertise I see at Helix Lab, at Novonesis A/S, and the potential the city of Kalundborg has. I view Helix Lab as a scientific hub that attracts some of the best talent from around the world, as I noticed the very first moment I arrived at Kalundborg Kollegiet: people from a plethora of nationalities sharing diverse worldviews, along with personal, scientific, and engineering aspirations.

Moreover, the rapid growth of the city of Kalundborg has also played a significant role in motivating me to become a Helix Lab Fellow. One need only look at the presence of major companies in the city to see how bright Kalundborg’s future is, and I want to be part of that journey.

Finally, as an aspiring Process Engineer, I find it exciting to know that I can combine Computer Science and Chemical Engineering in my master’s thesis, especially given that the world will increasingly be driven by data and information manipulation in the near future. This is something that my project work at Novonesis A/S is allowing me to thrive in, reinforced by the fact that I am currently working in an on-site industrial setting.

What is the most exciting part of being a Helix Lab Fellow? 

To me, the most exciting part is the opportunities that Helix Lab—and, by extension, Kalundborg—offers me as a soon-to-graduate master’s student. I believe that the project I am working on has huge potential for my future career, and I have found astonishing support at Helix Lab in the form of technical expertise, industry networking, infrastructure, mentoring, and social gatherings. I would like to emphasize this last point, as all of the Helix Lab fellows are both passionate about a wide range of subjects (not just those related to science or engineering) and down-to-earth, which makes fruitful conversations possible.

Additionally, I want to highlight the types of skill sets that this fellowship is encouraging me to develop, whether technical, social, or cultural. I believe these skills will enable me to thrive in my future industrial or academic career.

What perspectives do you see for your future after being a Helix Lab Fellow?

After my fellowship, I would love to apply the skill set I will develop during this period in either an academic or industrial setting. Following my time at Helix Lab, I envision myself being well-versed in skills that are highly sought after by society. I would be eager to contribute to the development of either the city of Kalundborg or the broader society of Denmark. Both the city and the country offer a wealth of opportunities, both nationally and internationally.