Jack Yang

STEM Equals Profiles - Jack Yang

Tell us a little bit about you:

你好, or hello. My name’s Jack Yang but my Chinese name is Hao Yang (not enough words here to explain naming conventions of the East and West, but when speaking English just call me Jack). Other than being a male variant of the advanced ape-like animal so-called Homo Sapiens, I like to spend my spare time reading historical and philosophical literature from the early 20th century, going for walks with my camera in hand, and pretending to be an author. My interests vary from time to time but right now I am a camera and fountain pen enthusiast, however conversations about people and cultures will ALWAYS pique my interest. I speak two languages well (English with a Scottish central belt accent and Chinese Mandarin with a Northern Liaodong accent) and two languages not-so-well (French and Japanese, with no discernible accent). And I also love karaoke!
 

What is your area of research and what project(s) are you working on now?

I am a physics PhD student working in the field of theoretical quantum optics. Hopefully the applications of my research will help develop future generations of technologies which use quantum effects in communication. What I am interested in currently is how loss and noise could affect nonclassical signals which interact with their surroundings.
 

When was your interest in STEM/your field first sparked and why?

I am a physics PhD student working in the field of theoretical quantum optics. Hopefully the applications of my research will help develop future generations of technologies which use quantum effects in communication. What I am interested in currently is how loss and noise could affect nonclassical signals which interact with their surroundings.
 

Who or what inspired you to stick with STEM when you were younger?

The whims of a youthful and excitable brain, believing that science had all the answers!
 

What challenges do you think STEM disciplines face with regards to issues of diversity and inclusion and what should a supportive, inclusive STEM community look like?

Definitely the most glaring issues are the lack of and treatment of women in STEM, as well as people who do not look like or come from a similar background to the destined white male. My ideal of a supportive and inclusive STEM community come from the fact that science really is for everyone, therefore there should be people from all walks of life engaging in science. Good science always comes from collaborations – the nexus of open minds – which everyone has or should aim to fully develop. In the current context, we should be aiming to balance things out a bit: minorities should do well to support each other, and the majority should absolutely support and welcome such new bright minds with open arms. We must perpetuate this attitude viewing each other with the utmost best of intentions.
 

In your career, what are the moments that have made you proudest so far?

Simply by being here.
 

Since STEM career paths are rarely easy to navigate, what challenges have you faced along the way?

For me, it is the pressure to produce novel research that will lead to publication, not to mention the rather dismal administrative tasks one has to spend time doing during a PhD. Perhaps it is due to my own impatience, but I often associate the naturally slow-progress of research as a doomed route to failure. This has led to many instances self-doubt and mental health challenges I had to overcome.
 

Where do you find support to sustain you in your current career?

Discussions with colleagues, friends and myself. Usually people would say their family, but I am not making the big bucks so my family does not care or choose to care.
 

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in STEM?

Get ready for a rollercoaster; make sure you really like the subjects in STEM and have an open-mind, ready to challenge and understand why things are the way they are. Do not be afraid to QUESTION EVERYTHING.
 

Fun question: Tell us two truths and a lie about you.

a) I ate a (dead) scorpion once. b) I ate a (dead) bat once. c) I ate a (dead) dog once.