Innovation, intelligence and an environment that empowers

It is an innovation centre for AI, but iDMT’s greatest innovation might just be in how it supports the people doing the science.

Dr Jiyizhe Zhang joined the Innovation Centre in Digital Molecular Technologies (iDMT) as a Research Associate in 2022, just after completing her PhD – a joint award between Tsinghua University and the University of Melbourne. Three years later, as iDMT strengthens its links with the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB), she has left Cambridge to take up a lectureship in digital manufacturing at the University of Manchester.

This follows her already remarkable rise to the centre’s lead scientist in just two years.

For Jiyizhe, the pace of that progression says as much about iDMT as it does about her own determination.

“My career progression has been very quick…I’m very excited and proud that this has happened,” she said. “The iDMT environment has helped me to learn what I need so I can be effective as a researcher in an interdisciplinary field – it’s so creative, and a small space where people are encouraged to explore ideas and draw inspiration from each other.”

That environment is deliberate. Led by CEB’s Professor Alexei Lapkin, iDMT brings together researchers, data scientists and industry partners to accelerate the digital transformation of chemistry. But it’s also a space where early-career researchers are trusted to experiment, to lead and to think differently.

As the centre’s research teams wrap-up a relocation to CEB from their initial base in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, they remain committed to maintaining close ties with their former hosts – reflecting the interdisciplinary foundations on which iDMT was established.

“A relaxing environment does not have to mean slower – but we are given the space to think and make the most of that,” Jiyizhe explained.

Her work has focused on using machine learning and lab automation to accelerate chemical process development for drug-development applications. As lead scientist, she worked closely with one of iDMT’s industrial partners to develop automated model generation methods for novel design of reactors as ‘digital twins’. The project led to series of papers in Computers & Chemical Engineering, part 1 and part 2, with the final third paper published earlier this year.

“I feel like iDMT is a very special place for me,” she said. “It’s opened a window as a researcher into industry, as I could really see the real-world impact of my research. I was regularly talking to industry and feeling how the science really connects.”

That connection to the wider world is part of iDMT’s ethos. Its projects combine automation and AI with collaboration and communication, ensuring that research stays both cutting-edge and connected.

“Research is not just there for my interest, but it’s helping society and people’s,” Jiyizhe reflected.

As she moves on to Manchester, Jiyizhe takes with her the technical expertise gained at iDMT, alongside a sense of perspective of her role.

“I leave as a more rounded scientist, and person. I hope to use what I’ve learned in iDMT to tackle some of the major challenges the world is facing today, and I am excited to work closely with industry to translate research ideas into real-world impact."