#AccelerateAction, this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) theme, is a global call to recognise strategies, resources, and actions that drive women’s progress and to actively support their implementation. IWD remains an important opportunity for amplifying the focus on gender equality.
In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th, Tyndall is proud to shine a light on Zixiao Zhang, a PhD student, specialising in Micronano Systems.
What is your current role and research focus?
I am a final-year PhD researcher at Tyndall, focusing on developing non-reciprocal RF components for next-generation wireless communication. My work enables full-duplex transmission, allowing simultaneous signal sending and receiving to improve network efficiency. By designing compact, tunable, and energy-efficient RF devices, my research contributes to the advancement of future wireless and radar systems.
What path led you here?
My path to a PhD was driven by a passion for innovation, global experiences, and RF engineering. As a patent examiner, I gained valuable insight into the impact of new technologies, which inspired me to take a more active role in innovation. I also wanted to broaden my horizons by working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiencing different cultures. With my RF engineering experience from my master’s, I found the PhD opportunity at Tyndall to be the perfect place to contribute to cutting-edge research while growing both academically and personally.
Did you have a role model who influenced your career choice?
I haven’t had a single role model, but many innovators and mentors have influenced my journey. My professors and colleagues have also motivated me with their passion and dedication. A particularly inspiring moment was my first interview with my current supervisor, where both interviewers were women in engineering, which is still relatively uncommon in our field. Their professionalism, expertise, and friendly attitude left a lasting impression on me. Seeing strong female leadership in a highly technical area was both inspiring and encouraging, reinforcing my confidence in pursuing a research career.
What could be done to support women STEM and #AccerateAction?
Supporting women in STEM begins with visible role models and leadership development. Seeing women in senior technical and decision-making roles helps to break stereotypes and encourages more young women to pursue ambitious careers. Mentorship and peer networks play a crucial role in providing guidance, confidence, and opportunities. Companies, research communities, and funding bodies should actively support women-led projects, leadership training, and speaking opportunities to amplify female voices. By fostering an environment where women are encouraged to lead, innovate, and influence, we can accelerate progress towards a more inclusive and diverse STEM ecosystem.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Believe in yourself and embrace challenges. Don’t be afraid of failures or regret past decisions—every experience, whether good or bad, shapes who you are and helps you understand yourself better. Stepping outside your comfort zone will lead to growth, and even setbacks are valuable lessons. Seek out mentors and role models, and trust that you are more capable than you realise. Keep moving forward with confidence.
