TrendsTalk

In the article series ‘Science around the world’ in Trends in Molecular Medicine, we embark on a journey to learn about the scientific background and expertise of the authors and the geographic landscape that has shaped their groundbreaking work. We have compiled a list of questions to highlight the authors’ experience at a specific location and we aim to unravel the profound influence of this location on their scientific breakthroughs and how it has shaped their scientific careers. Follow us on   journey of science around the world!

Chenju Yi

Chenju Yi: I am a professor of neuroscience at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Shenzhen, China. I was trained as a neurologist at Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. I obtained my MD and PhD degrees from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen in Germany and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, respectively. Then I did my postdoctoral training to study the role of astrocyte connexins in Alzheimer's disease, mentored by Professor Christian Giaume, at Collège de France in Paris. Following that, I was appointed a Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore to further my research on Alzheimer's disease with Professor Carlos Ibáñez. In 2018, I moved back to China and established my own lab in Shenzhen. Now I have 13 members in my team, including an Associate Professor, four postdocs, and five PhD students. Our research focuses on the role of glia in brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and glia–glia interactions in brain pathophysiology.

What makes Shenzhen in China a compelling destination for researchers in your field?

Shenzhen, a young and dynamic city in China located near Hong Kong, is a compelling destination for researchers. The new research institutes are equipped with modern facilities. Shenzhen offers substantial support for researchers, including funding opportunities, grants, and other resources, which attracts both young and experienced researchers from around the world, contributing to a rich and diverse academic community. Based in Shenzhen, I can effectively manage international collaboration and networking by organizing a series of lectures, inviting neuroscience scientists from abroad, and attending international conferences. In this way, I can catch up with my old friends and get to know new collaborators from prestige institutes, such as University of Manchester, UPMC in Paris, and Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.

Link from Trends in Molecular Medicine:   " Science around the world "

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