On January 5, 2021, two students from the 2019 cohort of the Hypercomplex Network Science and Intelligent Systems Laboratory, Xu Mingyue and Yang Zhengzhuang, presented their opening thesis defenses. In addition to their supervisors, the defense panel invited Professor Wang Lin from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Researcher Tang Ming from East China Normal University as reviewers. The defense secretary was Li Heting.
Professor Wang Lin from Shanghai Jiao Tong University provided specific suggestions on Xu Mingyue's presentation, particularly regarding the spatiotemporal memory of individual activity, as well as the coherence and integrity of various parts of the study. For Yang Zhengzhuang's report, she suggested narrowing the scope of the research, focusing on a more specific aspect for in-depth study, and offered some recommendations on visualization and application aspects of the research.
Researcher Tang Ming from East China Normal University made suggestions on Xu Mingyue’s research topic, noting that such topics are currently quite homogeneous, and advised her to find a more unique angle for deeper exploration and to identify innovative aspects of her project. He also recommended reconsidering the data feasibility and focusing on key data for further analysis. Regarding Yang Zhengzhuang’s thesis defense, he offered constructive feedback, such as exploring the possibility of combining community detection with the development of a visualization platform for analysis, while also emphasizing the need for innovation.
In the end, the defense panel unanimously agreed that both students presented innovative and cutting-edge research topics, delivered excellent presentations, and were able to respond thoughtfully to the experts' questions. The panel unanimously agreed to approve their research topics.