Jia’s research focuses on improving the way aircraft parts are manufactured using novel eco-friendly thermoplastic composite materials. This aims to help reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry through enhanced manufacturing efficiency and use of sustainable materials.  

During his studies, Jia won the prestigious 2022 IET Postgraduate Research Award for his outstanding research. This recognition places Jia among a group of international awardees from esteemed institutions such as Stanford, Cambridge, and Imperial.   

This marks the first time this award has been bestowed upon a Queen’s student.  

 Jia says: “I have really enjoyed my time at Queen’s and received excellent support. My supervisors Dr Dan Sun, Prof Yan Jin and colleagues, as well as Queen’s staff all made me feel like part of a family. With their comprehensive support including academic support, career services, health and well-being, accommodation and housing as well as student organizations and activities.”  

Jia also served as President of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) at Queen’s during the challenging period of 2021-2022, amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic where he helped new students adapt to the life and study in Queen’s.   

He says: “Serving in this capacity allowed me to make a meaningful impact to provide support, guidance, and a sense of community to the incoming students from China. I am proud to have contributed to the well-being and successful integration of new students into the vibrant and diverse community at Queen’s.”  

As an international student, Jia was able to avail of some fantastic scholarships and financial support. He explains: “As a recipient of UKRI fully funded PhD scholarship, as well as the prestigious Kathleen and Robert Stock Trust Fund at Queen's, these scholarships and research funds provide important financial support, covering my tuition fees, living expenses and research expenditure, which relieves financial stress and allows me to fully focus on my research work. This support creates a conducive environment for academic growth and enabled me to dedicate my time to research, especially during the pandemic.  

“Also, the Emily Sarah Montgomery Travel Scholarship awarded by Queen’s provides me with invaluable opportunities to attend renowned international conferences, to share and disseminate my research findings with experts and scholars from around the world. The Emily Sarah Montgomery Travel Scholarship has not only enhanced my academic profile but has also broadened my perspective and enriched my overall research experience.”  

A highlight for Jia, has been receiving the IET award. He says: “When I learned that I won the IET postgraduate research award as one of the six global awardees, I felt an incredible mix of emotions. Firstly, I was overwhelmed with a sense of joy and accomplishment. Being recognized by such a prestigious organization like the IET among a pool of talented researchers from around the world is truly an honour.   

“This award not only acknowledges my personal achievements but also reflects the high standards and excellence of research conducted at Queen's. It is a privilege to represent the Queen’s university Belfast and showcase the remarkable contributions made by our institution to the wide engineering academic community.”  

Jia now hopes to continue his research in the UK. He says: “I plan to continue to work as a postdoc researcher in the UK to continue my research, aiming to further address the key challenges in aeronautical manufacturing and sustainability.”  

Media

For media inquiries, please contact comms.office@qub.ac.uk