My journey into the world of Electrical and Computer Engineering didn’t begin with a complex theory—it began with a moment of pure magic. During a circuit experiment in my undergraduate years at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), I noticed something fascinating: a loose wire hovering over a development board could trigger different tones from a speaker. I was so captivated that I managed to “play” a simple version of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star just by moving the wire.

It wasn’t until my microwave engineering class that I had my “Aha!” moment: what I thought was magic was actually Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). That realization transformed my curiosity into a scientific passion.

This passion was further ignited by two key courses— Microwave Engineering and High-Speed Digital Circuit Design. These courses opened my eyes to the intricate world of signal integrity and electromagnetics. The idea of solving real-world problems in high-speed systems through simulation, calculation, and hands-on experimentation was exhilarating. My path became clear when a professor, who had been a visiting scholar at Missouri S&T, mentioned that Missouri S&T had the world’s top EMC lab. That one sentence planted a seed.

Eager to see it for myself, I applied for a summer internship at Missouri S&T. The experience was transformative. It wasn’t just the state-of-the-art equipment that impressed me—it was the culture. Faculty and students shared a deep commitment to learning by doing, which resonated with my own undergraduate experience in a special “seed class” focused on hands-on growth. I knew then that Missouri S&T was the perfect place to pursue my Ph.D.

Fond Memories of Missouri S&T

From the start of my Ph.D.in 2015 to graduation in 2022, my time at Missouri S&T was filled with both intense challenges and profound rewards.

One of my most vivid memories is from the RF Design course, where we were tasked with building a PAM-4 signal generator using the most cost-effective components available, aiming to match the bit rate of commercial devices. It was a brutal but brilliant lesson. Designing a 14GHz high-speed circuit is an entirely different world from standard electronics; even the smallest soldering flaw could wreak havoc on the waveform. Our professor was our anchor—he believed in us, taught us theory, and even gave us hands-on lessons in the art of perfect soldering. The pride we felt when our system finally worked, and we presented it to the class is unforgettable.

We often left the lab as the sun was rising, only to head straight to morning lectures. It was intense—but that’s what the quintessential Missouri S&T experience is: pushing you to your limits so you can discover just how far you can go.

If the lab represented Missouri S&T’s academic rigor, the annual Celebration of Nations represented its heart. As a lifelong map enthusiast, I could name every country and recognize its flag—but that festival brought those flags to life. For the first time, I saw them waving in the hands of real people, each representing a story, a voice, a culture. I immersed myself in the festivities, tasted foods from around the world, and chatted with students in the parade. When I shared what little I knew about their countries, their excitement was infectious. It was a beautiful, living example of harmony in diversity.

From Campus to Career

Today, I work as a Chip Package Design Engineer at Apple. My role is to design chip packaging that ensures high-speed and RF circuits perform flawlessly. What I love most is shaping a design from its earliest stages and navigating the complex trade-offs involved.

My education at Missouri S&T provided me with a deep foundation in high-speed circuit theory, RF design, and EMI desense issues. That training serves as an internal “radar” that helps me anticipate and solve problems before they arise. When performance specifications conflict, I’m equipped to find the most rational, effective compromise. There’s tremendous satisfaction in knowing the work I do contributes to products that people use and love every day.

The challenges are real—circuit frequencies continue to rise, form factors keep shrinking, and constraints are tighter than ever. But that’s also what makes the work so rewarding. It's a lot like my favorite hobby, rock climbing: every move is a balance of strength, skill, and strategy. In both climbing and engineering, I find joy in the challenge—and even more in the triumph.

Advice for future Students

If I could offer some advice to current and future Missouri S&T students, it would be these three things:

Seize every chance to get your hands dirty. Missouri S&T provides invaluable opportunities for hands-on practice. Actively seek them out, especially projects that involve collaboration with

industry engineers. This will broaden your perspective and ground your knowledge in real-world applications.

In the age of AI, expand your intellectual horizons. The entry points to knowledge are more accessible than ever. Don't confine yourself to a single domain. Gain a foundational, "entry-level" understanding of various fields. Once you have that key, you can leverage AI to accelerate your learning in any direction. The breadth of your knowledge truly determines the height of your potential.

Proactively develop your communication skills. The ability to clearly describe a technical problem and effectively "advertise" your research is just as critical as your technical expertise.

Don't be shy. Take the initiative to organize study groups and volunteer to draft and deliver presentations. Every time you do this as a student, you are paving the road for your future career success.

Alumni who wish to share their own stories are invited to email bma@mst.edu.