We are pleased to announce that Dr. Xue Li has been awarded the Solids Travel Award.

The Solids Travel Award was launched in 2025, and it is presented every year to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences in the field of solid-state science, which helps to grow their profile.

We were honored to interview Dr. Xue Li and learn about her views and experiences in relation to scientific research and awards. The interview is summarized below:

1. Congratulations on your award! Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about yourself and your fields of interest?

Thank you very much. I am truly honored and grateful to receive the Solids Travel Award. It is very encouraging for me as an early-career researcher, and I sincerely appreciate the recognition and support from the journal and the award committee.

My name is Xue Li, and I am currently a PhD student in theoretical and computational condensed matter physics at the University of Manchester, working under the supervision of Prof. Vladimir Fal’ko. My research focuses on two-dimensional quantum materials, particularly ferroelectric and magnetic van der Waals systems, where reduced dimensionality, symmetry breaking, and interlayer interactions give rise to emergent electronic phenomena.

2. How did you hear about this award, and how supportive can this kind of award be for researchers?

I first learned about the Solids Travel Award through my supervisor, who encouraged me to apply for it. I am especially grateful for this award because it will support my first conference participation during my PhD journey. As a PhD student, having the opportunity to attend an international academic conference is both exciting and meaningful for me.

Travel Awards like this provide very important support for PhD students, since attending conferences can often be financially challenging. Thanks to the support from this award, I will have the opportunity to present my research, communicate with researchers from different backgrounds, and learn about the latest developments in quantum materials research.

3. Could you briefly describe the conferences you plan to attend through the funding of this award, and discuss the significance of participating in such conferences for your research?

With the support of this award, I plan to attend the Graphene 2026 conference in Spain. The Graphene conference series has been held successfully for many years and is widely recognized internationally as one of the leading conferences in the field of graphene and two-dimensional materials research.

It is a great honor for me to have the opportunity to attend this conference and present my research through an oral presentation. Since my work focuses on the electronic and ferroelectric properties of two-dimensional van der Waals materials, participating in Graphene 2026 will allow me to learn about the latest theoretical and experimental advances in this rapidly developing field.

In addition to receiving feedback on my work, I am very excited about the opportunity to meet researchers working on related topics from around the world. I hope these discussions may lead to future collaborations and help me build long-term academic connections.

4. Do you have any other suggestions on how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?

I believe initiatives such as the Solids Travel Award are extremely valuable for young researchers, especially PhD students and early career scientists. One suggestion I would make is to further increase the visibility and promotion of these opportunities, so that more students and researchers become aware of them. Many young researchers may not realize that journals and academic organizations provide this kind of support for conference participation and academic development.

I also really appreciate that the journal is asking award recipients for suggestions and feedback in this way. I think it reflects a thoughtful and supportive attitude toward students and early career researchers, and shows a genuine interest in understanding how the academic community can be improved from the perspective of young scientists.

5. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?

I feel that I am also a young researcher myself and someone who is continuously learning from others. However, I believe one important thing is to keep exploring and remain persistent on the path of research. Scientific research often requires long-term curiosity, patience, and focus. It is important not to stop moving forward or become too distracted by external pressures and short-term influences.

I also feel very fortunate to be in a research group with such a strong scientific atmosphere. A large part of my progress has come from the encouragement and support of my supervisor, Prof. Vladimir Fal’ko, who has always been patient, supportive, and willing to give me opportunities to learn and grow. I believe having a positive research environment is extremely important for young researchers, and I am very grateful to have such a strong platform for developing both scientifically and personally.

6. Looking ahead, what are your main goals or projects for the coming years?

Looking ahead, one of my main short-term goals is to complete my PhD successfully over the next year and continue working in the field of condensed matter physics through a suitable postdoctoral position. At the same time, the more I study physics and computational materials science, the more I realize how much there is still to understand.

For me, research is not only about publications or achievements, but also about maintaining curiosity, continuing to explore unknown problems, and finding meaning in the process of discovery. More importantly, I hope to keep improving my scientific thinking, modelling skills, and ability to approach complex problems, while gradually becoming a more independent and mature researcher.

Solids Editorial Office