In 2026, the sixth cohort of undergraduate graduates from Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) is ready to set sail. Armed with the knowledge and courage bestowed by their alma mater, and guided by the belief of "Dream it. Do it.", they have etched their youth in constant exploration and breakthrough. Let us step into their stories, and witness how they take action as wings to wider skies.

Hu Shennan  Materials Science and Engineering 

High School: 

Guangdong Panyu Middle School

Awards:

Third Prize, "FLTRP·ETIC Cup" "Understanding Contemporary China" National Foreign Language Contest for College Students - Guangdong Division, 2022

Second Prize, "FLTRP·ETIC Cup" "Understanding Contemporary China" National Foreign Language Contest for College Students - Guangdong Division, 2023

Second Prize, GTIIT 3rd "My Story with GTIIT" Speech Contest, 2023

First Prize & Best Performance Award, GTIIT 4th "My Story with      GTIIT" Speech Contest, 2024

GTIIT Programs Head's List, 2024

GTIIT Extracurricular Culture and Arts Award, 2024

GTIIT Outstanding Campus Journalist Award, 2024, 2025

Best Research Poster Award, ICMRE-2025 International Conference, 2025

Best Undergraduate Award, GTIIT Research Poster Competition, 2026

Best Poster Award (Second Prize), ICNEAT-2026 International Conference, 2026

Offer: 

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

After Gaokao, Hu Shennan chose GTIIT and MSE program because of his passion for science and engineering and a desire for an international innovation education. His university life was rich: joining research groups, wrapping up two graduation projects, and even presenting at an international conference as an undergraduate. Moreover, he founded a photographic society, served as a peer mentor, and stayed active in English speech contests, photography, and student work, carving out a uniquely enriching path.

ICMRE Poster Session

Choose GTIIT

Fall for MSE

“GTIIT offers abundant teaching and research resources; it all depends on whether you’re willing to seek them out and truly use them.” When asked about the difference between university and high school, “proactivity” was the word Shennan kept saying. He believes active planning, an even mindset, and communication are the three keys to adapting quickly to university life. “I think proactive communication is the most important part, especially at GTIIT with so many international professors. If you’re willing to talk to them face to face, your English, learning ability, and vision for the future will get better.”

Once settled, Shennan began searching for directions. “The materials world is like a huge kitchen. Physics and chemistry set its boundaries, but imagination determines what you can create. To me, that’s exactly why materials science is both rigorous and fascinating.” As coursework and research deepened, he fell ever more in love with this field where rationality and romance coexist.

Hu Shennan（Right1）with friend

While browsing Prof. Elissaios Stavrou’s research, Shennan encountered “materials under extreme conditions” - its unfamiliarity and vastness immediately sparked his curiosity. “To learn more, I talk to the professor directly. He was incredibly enthusiastic and eager to share his work.” After their conversation, Prof. Stavrou invited him to audit the course in advance.

In the course “Materials under Extreme Conditions”, Shennan systematically explored this all-encompassing field: from controlling phase transitions via thermodynamic variables, to synthesizing novel materials, to studying frontiers like room-temperature superconductivity and exoplanet formation mechanisms. “The professor teaches vividly, making abstract concepts clear and accessible. I moved from mere ‘interest’ to ‘truly wanting to dig deeper.’” Through communication, he deepened his understanding and gradually found his research direction.

Hu Shennan (Left1) with Prof. Elissaios Stavrou (Left3) and some teammates

From Class 

to International Stage

Fascinated by aerospace materials, Shennan developed a research idea on ceramics during a project in Prof. Stavrou’s group in his sophomore year summer holiday. “It started as a very immature idea, but with the professor’s encouragement, I developed it into a real research project, this also became one of my graduation projects.”

Under the professor’s guidance, he focused on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), a widely used ceramic. “I combined high-pressure experiments, structural characterization, and spectroscopy to study how the material evolves under extreme conditions.” From literature review and experimental design to data analysis, he experienced the full research pipeline from “an idea” to “a result.” The first-author paper based on this project was submitted in January and is currently under review.

Scientific research isn’t always smooth. An unusual set of data once wiped out months of his progress. “We thought we’d discovered something new, only to realize it that it was an unexpected outcome arsing from the combined effect of experimental operational details and changing conditions.” When he felt upset, Prof. Stavrou quickly noticed and told him, “We are all learning.” Shennan came to understand that research isn’t just about “correct results”- it’s a process of trial, correction, and approaching truth. Setbacks and reflection are its most valuable nutrients.

In the first semester of his fourth year, with solid research experience, Shennan became the first and only MSE undergraduate to enroll in Advanced Project 2 for MSE, a course designed to encourage juniors who’ve completed their graduation projects to continue deeper research. With its support, he started a second graduation project on novel synthesis of alkali-metal rich compounds, pushing his undergraduate research to a higher level.

AIRAPT and ICNEAT Poster Sessions

“GTIIT provides undergraduates with rich research resources and an open academic platform. The university and Prof. Stavrou both gave me valuable opportunities to present and exchange ideas.” Starting sophomore year, Shennan presented his two projects in multiple campus showcases and international conferences. At the ICMRE conference, he competed against scholars from top global universities and research institutions, winning the Best Poster Award—as the only current undergraduate to do so.

Hu Shennan (Left 6) in ICMRE 

He also presented at high-level international conferences including ICNEAT and AIRAPT, taking part in poster and oral presentations, communicating with top researchers. At AIRAPT, Marius Millot, a research scientist of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, praised his work. After learning he was still an undergraduate, he encouraged Shennan warmly: “You are still young, and this is exactly the age when you have the most passion. Please keep it.” This affirmation from the frontier of the field strengthened Shennan’s resolve to pursue research.

Hu Shennan (Left1) in AIRAPT

Stay at GTIIT

Keep Researching

During his spare time, Shennan’s university life was also vivid. He founded the Photographic Society in his sophomore year, organizing photo exchange meetings, GT Walks, and lectures. He served as a photojournalist in the student media center, earning “Outstanding Student Journalist” for two years. He also worked as a Peer Tutor and Peer Advisor, helping freshmen adapt to GTIIT life; won multiple awards in English speech contests; and his fluent, confident expression made him more composed in international academic presentations. “These extracurricular experiences kept my passion for life and quietly improved my communication, organization, and teamwork skills.”

Hu Shennan in the speech contests

Four fulfilling years of GTIIT life led him to a considered and firm decision: staying at GTIIT for graduate studies. This means continuity for his clearly defined research direction, while the seamless bachelor’s-master’s-PhD pathway will offer convenience for his long-term study. And what he valued most was Prof. Elissaios Stavrou's trust, support, and patient guidance.

“GTIIT professors strongly support undergraduates in research. They’re not only willing to give opportunities but also invest time in careful guidance. In this environment, undergraduates don’t just watch research passively—they truly step into it, understand it, and gradually find their direction through trial,” Shennan said. It was this support that helped him grow from a research novice into a young researcher.

Hu Shennan (Middle) with friends

In advice to younger students, Shennan kept saying “don’t compare yourself to others”. “Rather than always watching where others are, first figure out your own goals and position. Only when you find something you’re willing to commit to will you still have the drive to keep going when difficulties and setbacks hit.” Stay passionate, explore actively, embrace uncertainty, and grow through trial and error—these are his truest reflections from the past four years, and his sincere advice to all GTIIT students.