2019 Awardees at Ceremony

Zhou Yu

Background: Ms. Yu received her bachelor degree from China Agriculture University in 2014, and then she join Dr. Chen Ting’s lab the at the National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS) in the same year. The project she chose to work on is to uncover the molecular mechanism underlying the mesenchymal niche heterogeneity and plasticity.

Citation: Ms. Yu studies the regulation of hair growth by the dermal layer of the skin and how skins in different locations on the body are differentially controlled through Hoxc genes. She has a good understanding of her research and thinks independently. She has a broad knowledge base in developmental biology. She presented clearly and logically. She appears very energetic, passionate and pleasant. She shows strong curiosity in fundamental questions. She has a good assessment of herself and future career plan.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Fangmiao Sun

Background: Ms. Sun received her bachelor degree from Beijing Institute of Technology in 2013, and is conducting her Ph.D. research in the laboratory of Dr. Li Yulong at Peking University. Fangmiao’s research project was to design and develop a genetically-encoded indicator for sensing neuromodulators.

Citation: Ms. Sun has developed fluorescent sensor for GPCR signaling, which are very useful not only for neurobiology but also for other systems. She knows the significance of her work and the application of her findings. She also has a broad knowledge basis and presented several basic scientific questions in neurology she would like to address. She thinks independently and shows her devotion to science. Her presentation skill is very strong and spoke logically. She has a clear future plan and research direction.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Jianhuang Xue

Background: Mr. Xue received his bachelor degree from Nanjing University in 2012, is conducting his Ph.D program in the laboratory of Dr. Xu Guoliang in the institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS. His research is focused on epigenetics, more specifically, DNA modification.

Citation: Mr. Xue discovered a new methyltransferase that adds a part of vitamin C to DNA, specifically in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. He made the discovery on his own and had to design a series of experiments to convince his mentor. This occurs in a type of algae. He thinks independently, has innovative ideas and curiosity. He is highly dedicated to science. He has a good career plan. He spoke clearly and logically.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Lijuan Yan

Background: Ms. Yan received her Bachelor from Lanzhou University in 2014, and entered the Ph.D program in the laboratory of Dr. Chen Zhucheng in the Tsinghua University in 2014. She studies the structural basis of nucleosome remodeling by ISWI.

Citation: Ms. Yan understands the biological questions that motivate the structural studies. She is a structural biologist who did biochemistry, crystallization and structure determination. She realizes that crystallography is only one approach for addressing biological questions and appreciates the physiological significance of the findings. She knows her work well and is modest. She is interested in learning innate immunology and continuing structural biology studies in that context.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Yiwei Liu

Background: Mr. Liu earned his medical degree from Chongqing Medical University o in 2014, and is conducting his PhD research in the laboratory of Dr. Zhang Hao at Fuwai Hospital, Beijing Union Medical College. In the past 5 years, he mainly focused on exploring individualized cardio-protection strategies for chronically hypoxic patients.

Citation: Mr. Liu is a cardiac surgeon and interested translational research. He discovered that patients suffering from chronic hypoxia do not fare well after cardiac surgery which involves low temperature treatments. Therefore, he came up with a modified protocol by supplying anti-oxidants in the procedure, thus significantly improving the outcome. He shows his interests and dedication to research while keeping in touch with clinical work, which offers him valuable perspectives on his research project. He is very smart and engaging.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Sitao Zhang

Background: Mr. Zhang received his BS from University of Science and Technology of China in 2015, and entered the PhD program in National Institute of Biology Science, Beijing where he studies under Dr. Wang Xiaodong in the same year. His research field is biochemistry & molecular biology.

Citation: He works on the anti-inflammatory effects of small molecules using the mouse models of multiple sclerosis, EAE. He made interesting discoveries but he impressed more on the panel by his logical thinking, ability to engage the panel in scientific discussion and openness in thinking. He is energetic and has a good personality. He has a good career plan for postdoctoral training in aging, immunological or degenerative neurological diseases. He showed promise to become a successful biologist.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Xueqi Li

Background: Mr. Li is conducting his Ph.D. research in the laboratory of Dr. Sun Ninghui in Institute of Computer Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His main research area is high-performance computer systems for gene data processing and analysis.

Citation: He is a computer scientist with a keen interest in developing the hardware to improve the handling of big data efficiently, economically and intelligently. Unlike most of his computer colleagues, he is interested in helping biologists and eager to have good contacts with biologists. He was already doing so while waiting for his turn during the interview and stayed a long time after his interview. He has the passion. He was able to explain his ideas clearly and get the biologists excited.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Hongri Gong

Background: Mr. Gong received his bachelor degree from Jiangxi Agriculture University in 2013, and entered the PhD program in Nankai University where his studies under Dr. Rao Zihe. His research mainly focuses on protein structure analysis and new drug development of mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Citation: He studies the structure of an electron transfer chain from bacteria. He was the driving force for his project and also acted as the leader of his research team. He showed the character to be capable and motivated. He is confident in presenting his research project and his scientific ideas. He has a position in Rao Zihe’s lab as an associate professor but will go abroad for further training later to acquire most updated techniques.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Yuqian Ma

Background: Mr. Ma received his BS degree from Hainan University in 2012, and entered the Ph.D. program in the laboratory of Dr. Xue Tian at USTC in the same year. His research mainly focuses on the molecular, circuitry, organ crosstalk mechanism underlying the non-image-forming vision as well as enhancing the image vision by nanotech.

Citation: He has two interesting projects, one on the technique to increase far-red vision using nanotechology (cell paper) and the second is on signal transduction of a retinal neuron involved in circadian rhythm. He is a driver of the projects and appears very capable. He understands his field and can answer questions. He is however not very polished. He intend to stay at USTC for a while to work on his own favored project combining neurobiology and immunology.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Xushen Xiong

Background: Mr. Xiong received his bachelor degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2014, and entered the PhD program in Peking University where his studies under Dr. Yi Chengqi. His research during graduate study mainly focuses on RNA epigenetics, especially regarding the development of modification detecting technology and the functional study of epitranscriptome.

Citation: He studies RNA methylation and discovered a new form of modification, m1A, using new technologies. He showed that this modification affect some tRNA function in translation. His expertise is mainly in bioinformatics but also did some bench work. He understands the significance of his work as well as the limitations and knows his field well. He presented clearly in most of his answers to questions. He has a good future plan.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Shuancheng Ren

Background: Mr. Ren earned his medical bachelor degree from Military Medical University in 2013, and is conducting his PhD research in the laboratory of Dr. Hu Zhian at Military Medical University. He studies the role of PVT in the regulation of awakening and the mechanism of its nerve circuit.

Citation: He did cutting-edge research on sleep and awakening mechanisms. He used an optogenetic technique to probe neuronal circuitry in living mice and performed assays from cellular, physiological to behavioral levels. He has an impressive understanding of the field and thinks independently. He did most of the work. He is intelligent and innovative. He spoke clearly and logically, and responded well to questions.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Chenjie Shen

Background: Mr. Shen received his BS from Wenzhou Medical University in 2014, and entered the PhD program in Zhejiang University, where he studies under Dr. Li Xiaoming in the same yeas. Chenjie’s graduate work mainly focused on the molecular, cellular and circuitry mechanism underlying the depression.

Citation: He studies the effects of Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) stimulation on depression and a circuitry and molecular mechanism of depression. He knows his work very well and also has a broad knowledge. He showed, intelligence, curiosity and ambition. He has a good career plan. He intends to do academia as well as forming a company to screen for drugs. He has a bachelor degree in medicinal science.

This prize is sponsored by Dongrun Foundation and Taikang Health Industry Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

RWMF members at the award ceremony for the 2019 Ray Wu Prize