Academic Exchange

Dr. Li Jianze is a research scientist at the Institute of Fundamental Theory and Algorithm Research. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and pursued his Master’s and PhD in operator algebra theory within the realm of fundamental mathematics. When asked about his decision to continue studying mathematics during his Master’s and PhD, and to make it his profession post-graduation, he explains that it was a very natural progression, driven primarily by his passion for the subject. He often emphasizes that, regardless of the task at hand, interest and focus are paramount.

In early 2019, during a chance encounter at an academic lecture by Professor Zhi-Quan Luo in Toronto, Canada, Dr. Li first learned about the Shenzhen Big Data Research Institute, a newly established research entity. Upon further investigation, he discovered that the institute was focused on applied foundational theories and algorithms in big data, attracting many renowned experts in optimization, which greatly appealed to him. Consequently, in May 2019, Dr. Li returned to Shenzhen to become a member of the research institute.

At the institute, Dr. Li was thrilled to collaborate with optimization experts and engage in deeper discussions. He also had the opportunity to connect with professionals and young talents from diverse fields such as computer science and data science, gaining insight into their meaningful research projects. He acknowledges that his experiences at the research institute have broadened his horizons and deepened his understanding of scientific research. While his interest in research problems was previously mostly theoretical, he now finds himself increasingly drawn to the practical applications of those problems. Although he belongs to the Institute of Fundamental Theory and Algorithm Research, he frequently participates in seminars and academic reports organized by other laboratories and actively contemplates the potential applications of his research in these fields. In fact, providing theoretical and technical support for application projects in other laboratories was one of the founding intentions of the institute he belongs to.

Dr. Li's primary research focuses on the theoretical algorithms of tensor optimization and manifold optimization, as well as their applications in blind source separation and machine learning. This interdisciplinary field encompasses optimization, tensor algebra, differential geometry, signal processing, and machine learning. Since 2016, he has made significant progress in this area, collaborating with others on a series of research projects. Regarding future plans, he expresses his intent to continue concentrating on this field and to pursue deeper explorations that will lead to greater breakthroughs, ultimately enhancing the academic influence of the research institute.

Reflecting on his research journey, Dr. Li describes it as seemingly mundane and tedious, yet deeply fulfilling. He feels fortunate to have turned his passion into a career. He is committed to steadfastly advancing along the path of mathematical research. In his view, an individual’s time is limited, and being able to dedicate oneself to something genuinely interesting is a rare opportunity. This belief has been a guiding principle for him and will continue to shape his future endeavors.