We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr Jingqi Miao, dearly beloved wife and mother. She left us peacefully on July 2nd 2021 at home in Chestfield, Kent, surrounded by her husband, daughter and son-in-law.
Jingqi was born on the 11th June 1958 in the city of Nanchang, in Jiangxi Province in China. She attended 11th High School of Jiangxi as a graduate of the class of 1976. During her adolescence time, she was admired by her classmates and highly praised by her teachers because of her outstanding academic records and truly lovable personality, although she was attacked constantly by the extremely left-wing of the Chinese political system because of her father’s history of “political in-correction”. She then enrolled as a student at Jiangxi Normal University, where she obtained her BSc in Physics, and then her MSc in Theoretical Physics. She remained as a lecturer and then a highly esteemed associate professor within the Department of Physics. It was here that she met her colleague Dr Fei Long, whom she married in Jiangxi on February 1st 1985. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage full of life, spirit and laughter for 36 years throughout which they were a successful and inspirational couple to all around them, not only in their dedication to their academic research but in their unwavering commitment to each other. It is therefore no surprise that when they welcomed a daughter, Yun Long, on the 21st July 1990, they went on to become the most loving parents anyone could have asked for, not only in their utmost devotion to every part of her upbringing but in addition setting her an invaluable example of determination, perseverance and courage. They had such a resounding influence on her, that upon coming of age she chose to follow them in pursuing an academic career in physics research after graduating from Cambridge University.
In the year between 1992 and 1993, she took up a visiting fellowship at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, having for some time expressed an interest in conducting research abroad. Having greatly enjoyed her stay, she went on to emigrated to the U.K. in 1994 with her husband and daughter, settling in Hull in order to begin her Ph.D in the Theoretical Physics group at the university. During her time in Hull, she was a most dedicated scientist who committed herself resolutely to her research, which she most remarkably balanced with being a devoted parent and actively immersing herself in embracing a brand new culture that was far removed from the world in which she had grown up. At the same time, she established in Hull a tight-knit circle of warm friends with fellow Chinese members of the community who also resided within the area, whom she remained in close contact with for the rest of her life and considered a second family to the family she missed so dearly back in China. After successfully defending her doctoral thesis on ‘The Theory of Magnetic Polarons and Magnetic Field Effect in Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors’ in 1998, she began postdoctoral research in the Electrical Engineering Department at Queen Mary University of London. Her research topics included simulations on collisions between spacecraft and space debris, and on radiation triggered star formation in bright rimmed clouds. In 2001 she took up a position as Lecturer in Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Kent, where her research covered molecular cloud evolution and star formation. Over the last 20 years, she lived in Canterbury and Whitstable, where she spent many moments outside of work relishing the fascinating historic landmarks and gorgeous nature scenery, often visiting gardens, castles and stately homes with her family in her spare time. In addition, she was a keen reader of classical English literature, with Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Elizabeth Barrett Browning ranking amongst some of her favourite authors.
Throughout her life, Jingqi was not only an accomplished and diligent researcher, but also served as a warming influence to everyone she met due to the remarkable person she was. At work, she dedicated her heart and soul to the students she taught and supervised, supporting them in every way possible, which also resulted in her being constantly awarded ‘Teacher of the Year.’ Outside of work, she was a resounding influence on those around her. She was renowned in many circles for her unwavering empathy and compassion towards others, which constantly reflected in the selfless way she always sought to be there for anyone when needed. Most of all, she was a most devoted wife and companion to her husband, and a mentor, confidante and guardian angel in every way to her daughter, whose lives she enriched greatly in every moment and by whom she will be dearly missed forever. Even when she was tragically diagnosed with cancer in 2018, she will always be remembered deeply in our hearts for the humanity and kindness she continued to show others amidst her ordeal, and the indomitable courage and perseverance she steadfastly displayed until the very end.
Dr Jingqi Miao is survived by her loving husband, daughter, father and two older sisters.
