On April 11, ZHAN Qimin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Dean of the Peking University(PKU) International Cancer Institute, delivered an academic lecture titled “Scientific and Technological Innovation: Boosting the Development of Modern Medicine” at the 28th Qianhu Forum hosted by Nanchang University (NCU).
During his lecture, Academician ZHAN began by introducing the development of China’s healthcare industry and outlined the mission of medical advancement in the new era. He then highlighted the challenges facing China’s healthcare sector, including the burden of major diseases, an aging population , and insufficient medical innovation capabilities. To address these challenges, he stressed the necessity of adhering to “Four Orientations” (a strategic guideline for China's scientific development) and called for accelerated medical scientific and technological innovation, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration in cutting-edge medical fields, to promote original innovation in basic biomedical research. Additionally, he shared his personal life experiences and philosophical insights, which spanned scientific research, vocal music, and lyric writing, encouraging students to cultivate well-rounded competencies, promote the humanistic spirit of medicine, and ultimately bridge the divide between disciplines by 'uniting science and art at their highest realms'.
Following the lecture, students raised several questions regarding career and academic challenges. Some asked, “How can we achieve precision in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients?” and “What suggestions do you have for enhancing the comprehensive development of medical students’ competencies?”. Drawing from his own scientific journey, Academician ZHAN provided candid advice to both faculty and students. This event not only deepened the attendees’ understanding of cutting-edge medical technologies, but also inspired them to strengthen their professional commitment, elevate multidisciplinary capabilities, embrace contemporary responsibilities, and contribute to the advancement of medical science through innovative practices.
Over 200 attendees, including faculty and students from the School of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Public Health, First Clinical Medical School, and Second Clinical Medical School of NCU, participated in the lecture.
ZHAN Qimin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, is currently the Director of the PKU International Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Health Data Science, and the Laboratory of Molecular Oncology at PKU Cancer Hospital. He is also the Director of the Frontiers Science Center for Cancer Integrative Omics at PKU and the Dean of Soochow University Medical College. Academician ZHAN is globally recognized for pioneering the discovery and systematic elucidation of the functional mechanisms of key proteins in cell cycle checkpoints. He has comprehensively decoded the genetic mutations in esophageal cancer from both genomic and microenvironmental perspectives. Additionally, he has systematically revealed tumor-derived molecular mechanisms driving cachexia-induced tissue damage. Academician ZHAN has published over 300 SCI-indexed papers, which have garnered over 21,800 citations, and has edited 16 academic monographs. He has also been invited to deliver over 170 keynote speeches at domestic and international academic conferences and has served as the chairman of international academic conferences on 17 occasions.
Editors: Xu Hang, Tu Jinfeng, Zhu Wenfang
