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Harvard Professor & SHSID Alumnus’ Sharing

January 8, 2025

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At noon on January 3, 2025, Michael Li, an alumnus of SHSID Class of 2014, returned to the familiar Shanghai High School campus. Now a tenure-track assistant professor at Harvard University, he came to share his career journey and academic insights with the eager SHSID students. The ZXB conference room was bustling with admiration for Li’s accomplishments and students’ enthusiasm for learning.


Li is currently an assistant professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School. This subject focuses on using algorithms to infer causal relationships using machines and has been widely used in hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and public health. It has also been awarded the Innovation Application Award.


After graduating from SHSID, Li went to Cambridge, where he obtained an honors degree in Mathematics. Then, he acquired a master’s degree and a doctorate in operations research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Li shared his thoughts regarding these different experiences. In the United States, students must complete a series of general education courses while in the United Kingdom, students have more time and opportunities to study major-related professional knowledge. This sharing helped the listening high school students more clearly understand the differences in studying in different countries, providing them with valuable insight regarding their future applications.

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Regarding academics, Li suggested that getting into a top university is not everything. The real challenge is finding and carving a unique path of your own. He recalled how he tried various internships in popular fields in his first few months of university: consulting, finance, and even technology. However, he quickly discovered none were the future he envisioned for himself. Finally, after consulting his career counsellor, he decided to pursue his academic interest and use his mathematics skills to contribute to the greater good of society. Li emphasized that academic research isn’t only about solving problems; it’s also about exploring the unknown, bringing up new questions, and finding answers through collaboration across different fields.

In addition, students asked questions about the different foods, environments, and sports in the different regions. Li shared his thoughts and opinions, bringing to life vivid images of his memories and making the students feel as if they were right there with him, experiencing the moment's charm. When discussing time management, Li suggested that “One day earlier is one day happier,” which resonated with the students. He also shared how he would make his friends do their homework assignments ahead of time in high school, a memory that everyone enjoyed.

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At the end of the interview, he recalled how a letter he wrote ten years ago in English class helped him find his direction in high school. He encouraged everyone to stay open-minded and actively explore. His sharing provided students with valuable insights into academic research and career development, inspiring students to remain confident and curious as they face future challenges.


Written by Edouard, Arianna 11(3), Lily 12(1)

Photos by Ms. Chen Lin, Ms. Sun Liming, Ms. Wang Tongyan

Edited by Ms. Wang Tongyan

Reviewed by Ms. Gu Ying, Ms. Shen Chenli

Proofread by Mr. Cody Allen Turner