Yichen Guo

Tell us about your research.

My research focuses on numerical analysis, linear algebra, and high-performance computing. I work with Professors Tim Warburton and Eric de Sturler. My dissertation is titled "GPU-Accelerated Linear Solvers for High-Order Finite Element Methods."

What’s one leadership role you’ve taken on recently, and how has it allowed you to support your grad student community?

This year, I serve as the President of the SIAM Student Chapter at VT. We have organized a series of research talks featuring early-career researchers throughout the semester, fostering an environment that encourages questions and discussions. These talks offer a valuable opportunity for our graduate students to engage with peers from other institutions. I had the chance to meet the first two speakers at a conference last summer. I found the first speaker’s presentation to be highly informative, and I appreciated the clarity and style in which he shared his research. I am also interested in the research field of the second speaker, which inspired me to invite both to present their work. We encourage other graduate students to invite speakers or suggest topics for discussion that they find engaging!

What advice do you have for fellow graduate students?

I would like to share a piece of advice from Dr. Warburton: Fail fast and succeed fast.” In research, you often have to try many ideas before finding one that works, and sometimes none of them do. It's important not to dwell on failures. Instead, move on quickly: try a new idea, start a new project. Each failure offers valuable lessons that deepen your understanding. This mindset also applies beyond research: if you have an idea, just go for it. If it doesn't work out, that's okay. The key is to execute, reflect, and keep moving forward.

Another piece of advice is that attending conferences and doing summer internships (whether in industry or national labs) can be incredibly valuable. Every time I return from these experiences, I feel highly motivated and inspired by the people I meet and the ideas exchanged

What’s been one of the most rewarding experiences you've had in grad school?

One of my favorite memories is the reading group that Sam Bender and I organized from Spring 2022 to Spring 2024. We covered a wide range of exciting research topics, including tensor algorithms, randomized linear algebra, and quantum computing. Reading and discussing these papers have broadened my horizons and provided valuable long-term insights. They serve as a great supplement to graduate level courses, helping to fill the gaps between coursework and conference talks.

What’s your favorite way to spend time in Blacksburg outside of campus?

I enjoy running and birdwatching. I have a bird feeder outside my apartment, and this year a red-bellied woodpecker visits daily. It's a joy to hear its calls every morning.

What's next for you after graduation?

After graduation, I will join a tech company!