Yunda WANG: An Ever-Expanding Trajectory, From Industry to Academia
Faculty Profile
Professor Yunda WANG currently serves as the Associate Dean of Systems Hub at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and an Associate Professor in the Thrust of Smart Manufacturing. He also serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Micro-Nano Integration Lab (MNIL). His research focuses on microsystem integration, micro/mano manufacturing, microLED display technology, and the scalable fabrication and heterogeneous integration of two-dimensional materials. Professor Wang earned his bachelor’s degree from Xi’an Jiaotong University, master’s from Peking University, and PhD from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). From 2013 to 2022, he was with the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC, a Xerox Company), where he advanced through the roles of Postdoctoral Researcher, Researcher, and Senior Researcher. He received the “PARC Early-Stage Innovation Excellence Award” in 2019 and the “PARC Golden Acorn Award” for the best patent of the year in 2021. As a first or corresponding author, he has published numerous papers in internationally renowned journals and conferences, including Science, Microsystems & Nanoengineering, Journal of Micrelectromechanical Systems (JMEMS), IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (IEEE MEMS), Transducers, etc. He holds over 40 granted patents and patent applications in the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, and Europe. His research achievements have been featured by media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency, Phys.org, and LEDinside. He has led and participated in numerous research programs funded by national, provincial, and municipal projects, including general programs of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Science and Technology Major Project.
As one of the first batch of faculty members who passed the substantiation review at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Professor Yunda WANG’s career exemplifies a path of mutual reinforcement between academia and industry. His journey—from a top-tier research center in Silicon Valley to a university at Nansha, Guangzhou—demonstrates the positive role of cross-boundary experience in an academic career, providing an inspiring model for young scholars to follow.
From Silicon Valley to Nansha: Seeking “Harmonious Resonance” in Research Through Integration
“After reaching a certain stage in a person’s development, there often comes a desire to find a platform better suited for personal growth,” reflects Professor Wang, his tone resolute, discussing his decision three years ago to leave his position at PARC return to China to join HKUST(GZ). By that time, he had studied and worked in the United States for over a decade, serving as a Senior Scientist and Principal Investigator at a leading research center in Silicon Valley, with his career on a steady upward trajectory. Yet, he had gradually come to realize that to explore more exploratory and groundbreaking questions, he might need a platform better aligned with his long-term development—one that offered greater room to grow.
“That was a decision with comprehensive considerations,” he recalls, “driven both by career aspirations and family factors.” During the pandemic, cross-border travel became increasingly difficult, which to some extent hindered his connection with family and friends in China and prompted him to seriously consider the possibility of returning to develop his career. More importantly, he recognized the burgeoning innovation ecosystem of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the future represented by HKUST(GZ)'s commitment to cross-disciplinary integration.
“What attracted me to HKUST(GZ) was its unique interdisciplinary vision and its strategic location within the Greater Bay Area,” says Professor Wang. When he first encountered the innovative framework of “Hub” and “Thrust”, he keenly sensed that the university’s mission to break down disciplinary barriers aligned closely with his own academic background spanning information engineering, microelectronics, and mechanical engineering.
Research Path: Finding Answers at the Intersection of Disciplines
“In industry, I came to deeply realize that the major challenges our world faces are increasingly complex, and solutions confined to a single discipline are often insufficient,” says Professor Wang. This insight reflects the deeper motivation behind his transition from industry to academia.
His academic journey exemplifies cross-disciplinary exploration: a bachelor’s degree in Information Engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University, a master’s degree in Microelectronics and Integrated Circuits from Peking University, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. This multidisciplinary training laid the foundation for his innovative achievements in the field of microsystem integration. Since joining HKUST(GZ) three years ago, he has led and participated in numerous research programs funded by national, provincial, and municipal projects, including general programs of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Science and Technology Major Project, while he has been continuously translating his industry-acquired technical insights into pivotal directions for cutting-edge academic research.
“Innovation, especially disruptive innovation, is actually very difficult.” he admits. “It often demands long-term accumulation and persistence before truly breakthrough results can emerge.” Guided by this philosophy, his team has been steadily advancing research in micro-transfer printing technology. Encouragingly, related research progress has gradually begun to show promise. In 2024, he and his team received “The Conference Paper Award” at the 19th IEEE International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems (IEEE-NEMS 2024).
Teaching and Learning: Upholding the “Primary Identity as a Teacher”
Despite his deep research and practical experience in industry, Professor Wang approached his teaching with the humility of a new educator when he first stepped into the classroom. “Actually, before joining HKUST(GZ), I had zero formal teaching experience,” he frankly said. “Giving a presentation at an international conference, and interacting with students in the classroom and guiding them to think, are two completely different experiences.”
During the interview, Professor Wang reflected that from his very first days since joining the university, it was made clear to him that a fundamental commitment to teaching was the top priority for faculty. “Professors’ primary identities are being teachers,” he said. This principle was not only clearly conveyed by leadership in university, Hub and Thrust levels, but also implemented through systematic faculty development programs provide by the university. “If you truly value teaching, you will be willing to invest time in practicing, reflecting, and improving,” he noted. Driven by this belief and the supportive environment, he continuously honed his course designs and teaching methods. Over the past two years, his courses have consistently received exceptionally high ratings in student evaluations. “At university, teaching is a paramount responsibility,” he states seriously. “What ensures we are never late or absent? It’s that tight string in our minds—knowing there are always a group of students waiting for you in class. It's essential to keep this in mind throughout the entire semester.” This deeply felt sense of responsibility is the inner drive that sustains his continuous pursuit of high-quality teaching.
His classes are not just about delivering knowledge but also about cultivating interdisciplinary thinking. “Our university strongly encourages innovation in teaching and discourages faculty from being confined to a single, traditional approach,” To this end, he actively explores innovative pedagogies such as project-based learning and flipped classrooms, while transforming his extensive industry experience into engaging, practice-driven teaching content.
Student Mentorship: Staying True to the Original Aspiration of Personalized Education
When talking about the core differences between leading research projects in industry and university, Professor Wang says: “In industry, we collaborate with teams to complete one project after another, with the core goal of pursuing the practical benefits and implementation effects of the projects; however, in the university, when we lead students in conducting research projects, the more important value lies in the systematic training and growth empowerment of talents.”
Professor Wang also emphasizes that each student possesses distinct personality traits and unique strengths. Therefore, in talent cultivation, he aims to tailor his guidance to individual students. In practice, he customizes personalized development plans that align with each student’s unique traits and aspirations. “If a student is not yet mature in certain areas, we work together to identify the gaps and address them step by step. At the same time, we respect individual differences and help students advance steadily in directions where they show greater potential.”
This student-centered philosophy is a testament to his student group’s positive trajectory. Under his guidance, many of his PhD and MPhil students are driving their projects at a rapid pace, culminating in a steady stream of results presented at premier conferences and published in high-impact journals.
University Service: Evolving the Perception from “Duty” to “Opportunity”
As one of the core faculty members during the university's pioneering phase, Professor Wang has undertaken multiple roles. He currently serves as the Associate Dean of Systems Hub, Associate Director of the Center for Heterogeneous Integration of Microsystems and Packaging (CHIP) while also acting as a member of several university academic affairs-related committees. During his early years at HKUST(GZ), he served as the UG Coordinator in the Thrust of Smart Manufacturing, contributing to SMMG’s undergraduate program development. In addition, he has actively participated in undergraduate recruitment in the past years and received “The Best Contribution to UG Recruitment Award” in 2023, supporting the university development through practical actions.
“We can shift our perspective and view university service as an opportunity,” he shares. “In the process of serving, we can exercise many skills in communication, coordination, and management.” He recalls his experience participating in the establishment of the first batch of UG programs as particularly memorable. “At that time, we had to design programs, develop courses, and deploy the instructional teams within a tight timeframe.” That experience, he noted, not only honed his cross-team collaboration skills but also helped him build meaningful connections with colleagues across different Thrusts. “Many of my current collaborations with fields like Artificial Intelligence actually grew from relationships formed during that time.”
Resonating with the Greater Bay Area: Personal Growth and Development of Young Scholars
“Personal development only amplifies one’s voice when it resonates harmoniously with the larger environment.” Professor Wang reflected. As a researcher who successfully transitioned from industry to academia, he deeply appreciates the unique opportunities offered by the Greater Bay Area’s innovative ecosystem. “We have benefited from the development of the Greater Bay Area, and we should also be contributors of its progress.” he said. He emphasized that HKUST(GZ)’s cross-disciplinary philosophy aligns seamlessly with the region’s industrial needs, creating an ideal platform for young scholars to pursue academic excellence while translating their research into real-world impact.
Regarding the growth and development of young scholars, Professor Wang emphasized that it is essential to first “establish the right values”, and on that foundation, grasp the major trends and opportunities within national and regional development. He highlighted that HKUST(GZ) offers diverse development paths for scholars from different backgrounds, whether transitioning from industry or seeking breakthroughs within a traditional academic trajectory, each can find a suitable space for growth here. “Having the opportunity to take part in building a future-oriented academic framework and to grow together with the university,” Professor Wang said sincerely. “I look forward to more like-minded scholars joining us on this vibrant land to jointly explore the boundless possibilities of academia and realize the harmonious resonance between personal aspiration and the mission of our times.”
From cross-disciplinary research to industry-academia integration, Professor Yunda WANG's own journey serves as a vivid testament: when a scholar's development trajectory resonates with the pulse of the era, everyone could compose their own brilliant movement on this fertile ground.
