On Tuesday 4 November, 2025, the School of Science & Technology at City St George's, University of London will honour three of its most outstanding alumni at its fourth, annual STEM Alumni Awards ceremony.
This year Dr Yanong Ning (PhD Electrical & Electronic Engineering 1992) will receive the Distinguished STEM Alumni Award.
In a wide-ranging interview with City St George's News, Dr Ning shares his insights into how the field of Measurement and Instrumentation has changed over his storied career and the importance of quality STEM teaching.
Dr Ning is recognised and distinguished as a pioneer in the area of optical fibre and photonics and has shown a sustained and consistent level of professional achievement in the multi-billion pound business this is today.
He holds some 43 patents nine of which are UK, US and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
He has been the Chief Operational Officer for Intelligent Sensor Systems Ltd, Marlborough, UK, since 2008, and has held a variety of other concurrent roles, including part-time Director and Chief Scientist of Shandong Micro Sensor Photonics Ltd. , China since 2008.
Since August 2024, he has been an Expert Advisor of the Greater Bay Area Alliance of China Sensor and IoT Industry Alliance, to provide expert opinion and jointly contribute to the development of the smart sensor industry in this region.
What were your motivations for studying at City St George's?
YN:
I was pursuing a Master’s degree in Optical Instrumentation at Chongqing University in China when, in 1987, I was fortunate to be selected from over 800 graduates to continue my studies at City, St George’s. I was especially motivated by the university’s renowned Measurement and Instrumentation programme, which provided the opportunity to engage in advanced research on optical fibre sensors and their applications — an innovative and rapidly expanding field at the time, and a key focus of PhD research at City, St George’s.
What were the highlights and challenges of your PhD study in Measurement and Instrumentation at City St George’s?
YN:
The highlight of my PhD was pioneering the use of multi-mode semiconductor lasers in optical fibre interferometry. I was the first researcher in the group to explore this approach, and the work led to my first international publication in Applied Optics (1989).
The greatest challenge was that there were no existing theoretical or experimental frameworks to build upon — the principles and measurable outcomes of this technology were entirely unknown. Under the supervision of Professors Ken Grattan and Andy Palmer, I addressed this by developing a novel theoretical model to describe the system’s behaviour, and then designing and constructing the experimental setup from scratch to validate the theory.
One of the most rewarding moments was seeing our experimental results align so closely with the theoretical predictions. This research is now recognised as an early, foundational contribution to the field of low-coherence interferometry, which later evolved into Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A point of personal pride is that my supervisors had the foresight to encourage me to pursue this concept nearly two years before OCT was formally published.
How did your studies at City St George’s assist you to transition into your various roles including your present roles at the Laser Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Sciences, and at Shandong Micro Sensor Photonics Ltd?
YN:
My doctoral and postdoctoral research at City St George’s was instrumental in shaping my career in both academia and industry. Over the eight years I spent there, I built a strong foundation in critical thinking, experimental problem-solving, technical writing, and collaborative project management.
These skills enabled me to take on roles as both a principal investigator and an entrepreneur, confident in leading projects and translating research into practical applications. This foundation continues to guide my current work. For example, I first applied my expertise in industry by developing semiconductor chips for optical communication at a company in California. Later, I collaborated with the Laser Research Institute on wind speed measurement systems for wind farms, and with Shandong Micro Sensor Photonics (SMSP) Ltd. on optical sensors for coal mine safety.
In essence, my studies at City St George’s equipped me not just with subject knowledge, but with a versatile toolkit for innovation. They gave me the ability to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world instrumentation — an ability that lies at the core of my work today with SMSP.
What have been your career highlights in the field of Measurement and Instrumentation?
YN:
One of the most significant highlights of my career in Measurement and Instrumentation has been leading the development and deployment of innovative optical sensors that enhance industrial safety. A key achievement was inventing a miniature laser methane sensor in collaboration with Shandong Micro Sensor Photonics (SMSP).
This device addressed a critical safety need in coal mining by providing precise and reliable methane detection, and it has now been deployed in over 2,000 coal mines across China. These sensors became a vital part of the broader automation and safety IoT [Internet of Things] ecosystem, contributing to an 80-fold improvement in coal mine safety over the past 20 years.
The same laser methane technology has also been adapted for lithium battery power storage facilities, providing early warnings of thermal runaway and helping prevent potential disasters. This work demonstrates how foundational measurement technologies can be applied to meet emerging critical safety challenges across industries.
Why would you recommend City St George’s as a place to study STEM?
PR:
I would highly recommend City St George’s as a premier destination for STEM studies because it bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. The university prepares students to tackle pressing global challenges, from sustainability to climate change, by equipping them with the skills employers value most: advanced critical thinking, sophisticated problem-solving, and hands-on technical expertise.
City St George’s also provides an exceptional platform for students to explore their potential in a rapidly evolving digital world. Through industry-relevant courses and cutting-edge research, graduates are not only ready for today’s job market but are also prepared to lead and innovate in the future. This emphasis on practical employability and long-term career development is what truly sets the institution apart.
What are the main issues facing the UK in terms of STEM from your perspective?
PR:
From my perspective, one of the most pressing issues facing UK STEM is the rapid integration of artificial intelligence [AI] into the knowledge economy and the challenge of adapting the education system accordingly. While AI can generate reports, papers, and disseminate information widely, it cannot replicate the core human skills that drive true innovation: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and hands-on technical expertise.
The central challenge for UK STEM is not the technology itself, but how to strategically redesign STEM education to cultivate these irreplaceable skills while teaching students to leverage AI effectively.
From an employer’s viewpoint, this is essential: the future workforce must add value beyond what AI can produce, validating AI outputs, applying deep technical knowledge to real-world problems, and creating tangible, practical solutions.
