Duke Physics

Baolei Li

Baolei Li was born as the son of carpenter in a small village in middle east China, I became interested in science and engineering when I was playing with my father's mechanical tools as a naughty boy. I found that it takes a long time and will take more time to become a scientist. Chasing my dream to be a scientist, I went to Nanjing University and spent four years studying physics. After that, I was accepted at Tsinghua University as a graduate student in condensed matter physics and two years later, I decided to study abroad, attracted by better academics and financial environment in the United States. With my M.S. in physics obtained from Tsinghua and still holding onto my dream to be a scientist, I was accepted at Duke as a PhD student in the Physics Department, where individual interest and creative research work is highly encouraged.

One exciting aspect I found about Duke is that numerous interdisciplinary research centers are conducted here, such as Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics (FIP) and Center for Systems Biology. I am now working with Warren's group in the chemistry department. Playing with lasers and optics, we are investigating new contrast mechanism for optical imaging and trying to improve the spatial and tempo resolution of biomedical imaging based on ultrafast laser spectroscopy. I really enjoy the amiable weather and comfortable life at Duke. In addition to hanging out with my friends for dinner, movie, coffee and beers during the week end, and, since Duke has excellent exercising facilities, I try to go to the gym and swim regularly.