28-Year-Old Physicist Leads Own Lab After Superconductor Find

Most scientists spend their entire 30s working under someone else before leading their own research, but Stephen Lin Er Chow just skipped that decade entirely.

The 28-year-old physicist now runs his own laboratory at China's Zhejiang University after discovering a copper-free superconducting oxide that earned him a publication in Nature, one of the world's most prestigious science journals. He joined the university earlier this year as a principal investigator, a position that typically requires 10 to 15 more years of experience.

Chow's journey started in Ipoh, Malaysia, where his early talent in math and science set him on an unusual path. He moved to Singapore's National University of Singapore in 2016 for undergraduate studies and never looked back.

By age 26, he had completed his doctorate and immediately landed a research fellow position at NUS, ranked eighth globally. At 24, he became the youngest person ever to receive the university's Best Graduate Researcher Award.

His breakthrough came during his PhD studies when he created a new type of superconducting material without copper. The discovery marked NUS's Quantum Materials Design Laboratory's first top-tier publication since the lab opened two decades ago.

Now at Zhejiang University, Chow leads his own team, sets his research agenda, and recruits students independently through the university's "100 Young Professors" program. The initiative attracts outstanding young scholars from around the world who might otherwise wait years for such opportunities.

Why This Inspires

Chow's story shows how recognizing and nurturing young talent can accelerate scientific progress. Traditional academic paths often force brilliant researchers to spend years in supporting roles, delaying breakthroughs that could benefit everyone.

His move also reflects how universities worldwide are rethinking old hierarchies that kept young scientists waiting. Personal connections matter too: Chow noted his grandfather's Chinese heritage and his wife's background as factors in choosing Hangzhou, where he enjoys the scenery around West Lake.

The breakthrough itself holds promise for future technology, as superconducting materials conduct electricity without resistance and could revolutionize everything from power grids to computers.

Young scientists watching Chow's career are seeing proof that exceptional work gets recognized regardless of age.