"Physical approaches can be useful to explore life"
How can physics help us understand life? For Zhiping Wang, who studied physics in China before joining the Master’s program in Physics of Life at the Biozentrum, biology offered a new field to explore through the lens of imaging, data analysis and physical principles.
Zhiping Wang studied physics in China and recently graduated from the Biozentrum’s “Physics of Life” master’s program.
You studied physics at Lanzhou University in China. What motivated you to choose the Master’s program in Physics of Life?
Yes, my background is in physics. During my studies in China, I worked on topics related to computational and optical imaging and microscopy methods. I became interested in learning more about the applications of these technologies in biological analysis. In Europe, most Master’s programs in biology are mainly open to students with a biology background. The Physics of Life program in Basel was interesting for me because it combines both physics and biology. It offered me the chance to enter biology from a physics perspective.
As a physicist, what fascinates you about biology?
For me, biology is not completely separate from physics. Physics gives you a way to study things. Some people focus on objects, some on condensed matter, and biology is just another area where physical approaches can be very useful.
Looking back, how did this Master’s program compare with your expectations?
This was a bit challenging at first. Since I came from physics without a biology background, and some labs look for prior experience in biological experimentation, my choice of groups was somewhat limited at the start. But thanks to the program's flexibility, I could still find projects that matched my skills and interests well.
Which courses were important for you?
The seminars were especially valuable, because we could meet researchers from many different areas and from all over the world. They presented their work, and this gave us insights into many different topics. In general, the seminars offered are very useful, especially for someone like me who comes from physics and wants to understand more about biology.
Do you also get hands-on experience?
Yes, research projects are an important part of the program. I did my projects in the teams of Prof. Ben Engel and Prof. Ivan Dokmanić, a computer scientist at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The program allows students to either stay in one group for a long time or try different groups. This flexibility is very useful because you can find out which area you like most.
You also did an internship at EPFL…
Yes, but it was not compulsory. I chose to do it because I was interested in the group and wanted to broaden my experience. It also became very important for me because I will continue there for my PhD. That was not planned from the beginning, but it turned out to be a great opportunity.
What was the focus of your Master’s thesis in the lab of Anissa Kempf?
In my thesis, I worked on imaging and analyzing the behavior of the fruit fly Drosophila. More specifically, I used dual-view 3D imaging and computer-based tracking to reconstruct the fly’s movements and body posture. This allowed me to analyze sleep-related behavior from long-term recordings. What I found especially exciting was the combination of physics-based imaging, data analysis and animal behavior.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
The freedom. The program gives students many options. You can choose from many courses and research groups, not only at the Biozentrum but also in other departments. And there is not too much pressure from coursework, so you can spend a lot of time on your research projects. I think this openness and flexibility make the program special.
How was the support during your studies?
I felt well supported. Because the program was still quite new, some things were still being set up at the beginning and the information wasn't always fully comprehensive, so we sometimes reached out to people directly. But everyone always replied quickly and was very helpful.
Outside the lab, what helps you recharge?
I like hiking and travelling. Switzerland is perfect for this because the public transportation is unbelievably good and reliable. Since I was under 25, I could also get good discounts for trains, which made it easier to travel. I travelled a lot, sometimes almost every week.
Are there any aspects of Chinese culture that you miss?
I miss Chinese food a lot. The Chinese food here is very different from real Chinese food. I think many restaurants adapt their food to European tastes, so it is not the same.
What are your plans?
I will soon start a PhD at EPFL in the Laboratory of Applied Photonics Devices led by Prof. Christophe Moser. My future PhD work will focus on light-based 3D printing and related 3D bioprinting technologies. In the long term, these technologies could contribute to organoid-based models for downstream biological experiments.
Last but not least: Would you recommend the Master’s in Physics of Life to prospective students?
Yes, definitely. For students with a physics background, I would recommend learning some basic biology before starting. It really helps, especially in the first semester and in seminars where you need to discuss biological papers. And of course, scholarships are also a big advantage.
“I love hiking, and Switzerland is the perfect place for it. This photo was taken during a hike in Zermatt.”