原链接 | Original link: https://chemistry.northwestern.edu/about/newsletter/2024-newsletters/spring2024-newsletter/alumni-feng.html

校友风采：冯元宁

冯元宁是Stoddart课题组的2021届博士毕业生，随后留组担任了两年的博士后研究员。他最近开始在俄克拉荷马大学担任教员，他带领的课题组将专注于研究模拟生物体分子行为的动态功能分子和材料的设计与合成。该课题组研究从小分子开始，探究它们的特性，然后将它们用作与物理学家、生物学家和化学工程师合作探索材料和仿生学的工具。

你最喜欢西北大学Stoddart课题组的哪一点？

我最喜欢与我导师Fraser（Stoddart）的交流。他好善乐施、踏实勤奋，这让我发自内心地想要成为一个杰出的科学家和导师，乃至做一个慷慨的人。他追求完美、善待他人，总会给予别人（尤其是年轻人）需要的一切支持，这种态度塑造了我的学术哲学。当然，他是我(和许多同仁)的榜样。能有他作为研究和生活导师我倍感幸运。

在西北大学化学系的经历对你产生了怎样的影响，对你目前工作有何种启发？

这七年时光长到足以见证化学系的变化，非常有趣的是我能看到有人从选校参观到博士毕业的全程。我作为外国人，西北化学系让我逐渐熟悉了在异国的研究工作和日常生活。我与这里的教职员工和学生度过了愉快的时光，这让我决定在美国的学术机构继续我的未来职业生涯。西北化学系的课题组之间合作氛围积极浓厚，我乐于与其他人交流和分享，这对科研尤为重要。

你希望在未来十年自己的职业生涯发展到什么位置？

你对系里的同学们有什么建议吗？

我希望你这在世界上最好的化学系之一玩得开心。珍惜与优秀的教授和同事合作的机会，享受与朋友共度的时光。当你有任何困难时，最好能及时与其他人沟通交流。在这里只是我们人生旅途的一部分，花开花谢人来人往，所以不要把自己陷入与他人的比较中，抑或担心你的成就高低，因为只有美好回忆将不会被遗忘。

在化学教学之外，您还有什么爱好或活动？

教化学（和其他东西）的确是我的爱好之一。我喜欢古典音乐，在家时经常弹奏Fraser馈赠给我的钢琴。我有一个非常小众的爱好，那就是设计、制作和分享我的游戏，比如桌游。根据过去12年以来身边朋友们（包括西北的）的反馈，有人认为这些游戏并不亚于市场上的其他游戏。我挺想知道这些东西是不是比我的研究课题对我的学生会更有吸引力。

冯元宁于2023年秋季加入俄克拉荷马大学化学与生物化学系，担任助理教授。想要深入了解他的研究进展，请访问冯元宁课题组网站 以及关注他们的推特(X) 和 照片墙。

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: YUANNING FENG

Yuanning Feng, a 2021 graduate from the Stoddart group, who also completed a two-year postdoctoral stint with Stoddart, recently started as a faculty member at the University of Oklahoma. Leading the Feng Group, his research centers on the design and synthesis of dynamic functional molecules and materials, mimicking molecular behavior in organisms. Starting with small molecules, the group demonstrates their properties and employs them as tools for collaborative exploration with physicists, biologists, and chemical engineers.

You were in the Stoddart Group while at NU, what was your favorite part of the group?

I think my favorite part of the group is the interaction with our principal investigator, Fraser (Stoddart). He is so kind, supportive, and hardworking that changed my mind about being a brilliant scientist and mentor, as well as a generous man. His attitude of making everything perfect, treating everyone nicely, and supporting everything other (especially young) people needed has shaped my academic philosophy. Certainly, he is my (and many other people’s) role model. I am fortunate to have him as my research and life mentor.

How did your time in the Department shape you? How has it inspired your current work?

Seven years is long enough to witness the change in the department and interestingly see some people from visiting campus to graduating with a PhD degree. NU Chemistry department is also the place that let me get familiar with both research and daily cultures in this country since I am a foreigner. I have had a good time with the faculty, staff, and students, which made up my mind to continue my future career in an academic institute in the United States. The highly active collaboration in the department and the group makes me enthusiastic to share my research and talk to other researchers, which I think is important.

Where do you hope to be in your career in the next 10 years?

Is there any advice you could give current Department students?

I hope you have fun in one of the best chemistry departments in the world. Cherish your time and the opportunity to collaborate with those wonderful professors and colleagues. Enjoy your time and opportunity to spend with friends as well. Talk to other people when you have any difficulty. You came and you will leave here, so don’t put yourself into comparison or worry about your achievements, since only good memories should not be forgotten.

What is a hobby or activity you do outside of teaching Chemistry?

Teaching chemistry (and other things) is one of my hobbies. I enjoy classical music and often play the piano that Fraser donated to me for fun when I am at home. A very rare hobby that I have enjoyed is designing, making and sharing my games, such as board games. One of them, according to the feedback (including friends at NU) for the past 12 years, is not worse than other games on the market. I am always wondering if they are more attractive than my research projects to my students.

Yuanning Feng joined the University of Oklahoma Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2023. To learn more about his research, check out the Feng Group website and follow them on Twitter (X) or Instagram.