Student Profile: Dr. Qingxia "Chad" Liu
Scientist Explores the Challenges of Business
Dr. Qingxia “Chad” Liu, Group Leader, New Product Development, USG Corporation
It didn’t take long for Dr. Qingxia Liu’s colleagues at USG Corporation to give him the nickname “Q,” in deference to the ingenious scientist who armed James Bond with an array of state-of-the-art spy gadgetry.
Known as “Chad” by fellow Lake Forest MBA classmates, Dr. Liu holds two U.S.patents; eight more are pending. Like his namesake “Q,” Liu exudes anenthusiasm for learning and discovery. His thirst for knowledge has taken him from undergraduate and master’s degree student in China, to visiting scholar at the University of Kentucky, to research fellow at Purdue University, to McGill University where he earned a PhD in the Department of Metal, Mining and Materials Engineering.
A recognized expert in his field, Liu has published research papers and a book chapter and has chaired and spoken at national industry conferences. After receiving his PhD, he was offered a tenure track faculty position. While tempted to join academia by his love of learning, Liu chose the challenge and excitement of business. He worked as a research engineer at Cominco, Ltd. For two years before joining USG Corporation in 1998. Currently, he is a senior member of the USG Research and Technology Center where his specialties include developing new technologies to allow USG to bring even lighter and stronger gypsum products to the market.
As his achievements in the research lab grew, Liu set his sights on mastering new challenges. “Whenever there’s something I don’t fully understand I’m driven to find answers,” Liu explains. “It was becoming clear I needed to understand business fundamentals better to help turn more of my team’s discoveries into successful products. I also wanted management skills to help me take on new responsibilities and advance in my career.” Soon, Liu was returning to school again, this time for his MBA.
With a PhD and professional experience, Liu had his pick of Chicago’s business schools to choose from. After much research (naturally), LFGSM’s “learn from experience” approach to education stood out. “One thing my studies have taught me is you won’t enjoy the full power of knowledge if you can’t apply what you’ve learned,” Liu explains. “At Lake Forest, the entire faculty has real world experience that lets them teach beyond textbooks. The school and I have the same views on learning.”
Before he began his business studies, Liu’s primary focus was technology; he assumed most new discoveries would find a use. With a better understanding of business, he’s now in a better position to help his team develop innovative products that connect with consumer needs, finding solutions that make sense financially and communicating his ideas with decision makers throughout his company.
It’s not likely that this 2006 graduate's business education will end with his last class. Taking the “Learn from Experience” philosophy to heart, Liu regularly seeks out colleagues, classmates, and faculty with different areas of expertise to gain a deeper understanding of how he might apply new concepts to his work or to set the groundwork for future collaboration. “My MBA education opened doors for me,” Liu explains. “New ideas, a new business vocabulary, new friendships: All of these have helped me start conversations, exchange ideas, and expand my thinking about the role I can play in my company’s success.”
Liu’s love of learning is contagious. It would be no surprise if Liu finds his way back to the classroom; next time, perhaps, taking the role of teacher with his own real world experience to share.