Doctoral Candidate

Name: Xiaoyang Zhen

email: xiaoyangzhen@student.ie.edu

Research Project: Blockchain-enabled corporate digital innovation architectures (DC-2)

Biography

Xiaoyang Zhen, an alumna of Beijing Institute of Technology with a master’s in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s in logistics engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, was recognized as an outstanding graduate of Beijing in 2019. Currently pursuing a PhD at IE Business School, she focuses on healthcare operations research and digital innovation using blockchain technology. Her academic experience includes contributions to a National Natural Science Foundation of China project and a National Key Research and Development Project. Xiaoyang’s research explores the integration of blockchain into organizational information systems and supply chain processes, aiming to redefine collaboration and innovation in these domains.

Motivation for the PhD

The pursuit of discovering and establishing new theories has always fascinated Xiaoyang Zhen. Existing theories are like a full ball, and every new insight is like pumping this ball, pushing the boundaries just a bit further. Even within a narrow field, contributing something novel is like moving from 0 to 1—a leap of creation that excites her.

Why DIEM

The DIEM consortium’s blend of academic and industrial training provides a unique opportunity to develop both scientific and practical research skills, essential for becoming an excellent researcher. The support from both academia and industry makes this an ideal environment for Xiaoyang’s research journey.

Doctoral Candidate Journey & Lessons Learned

Balancing Research: Xiaoyang has learned the importance of balancing context-specific research with the pursuit of generalizable knowledge. It’s crucial to address real-world challenges and not assume that purely academic findings can automatically translate into practical solutions.

Research Methodology: She has deepened her understanding of research methodology and the key trends in her field. Additionally, she has gained valuable experience in critically evaluating and appreciating the work of others

Personal Interests & Fun Fact

Personal Interests
Xiaoyang enjoys traveling and hiking. Exploring new cities and immersing herself in nature brings her happiness, excitement, and relaxation.

Fun Fact
Xiaoyang once hiked up a mountain just to catch the sunrise, and it was one of the most breathtaking moments of her life. Now, she tries to chase that same sense of awe in everything she does.