On January 6th, the results of the inaugural “Zhong Nanshan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award” were officially announced. Ten young scientific and technological practitioners in the fields of health care and life science across China won the honor. Wang Lin, a professor from the Union Hospital affilated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, was the only female awardee.

With the authorization of Academician Zhong Nanshan and the approval of the Secretariat of the Central Committee under the Communist Youth League of China, the “Zhong Nanshan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award” was newly established in 2020. The award is open to all young Chinese practitioners under the age of 40 in the fields of medical technology and life science with no more than 10 candidates awarded each time. The award aims to encourage Chinese young people to learn the patriotism and sense of responsibility exemplified by Zhong and dedicate themselves to the pursuit of innovation in health care and life science.

Academician Zhong Nanshan, the winner of the “Medal of the Republic”, presented the award in person and delivered a speech.

In his speech, Zhong said that it was not easy for young people to make significant achievements in the areas of medicine and life science but recognized that “the awardees set a good example in such areas, which indicate that China’s medicine enjoys a promising future”. Continuing his speech, he urged the young practitioners to focus on making consistent innovations, strengthen their resolve, enhance mutual learning and exchange opportunities, and strive for further world-leading achievements.

The inaugural 10 awardees come from varied parts of China, with all making remarkable contributions in the fields of medicine and life science. Skilled practitioners, the awardees expertise applied to several areas, such as the treatment of infected cases at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, conducting scientific studies to solve practical clinical problems and devoting themselves to overcoming the worldwide medical conundrums to bring their patients a glimmer of hope for life. Professor Wang Lin was no exception.

She was determined to serve her motherland as a young scientific and technological practitioner. Ten years ago, she returned to China and founded the first research center for regenerative medicine in central China. She has long been committed to the research and development of key biomaterials in regenerative medicine and the translational study of new strategies for wound repair. The whole body of work she has done has created a new area for the research and application of sericin in biomedicine, enabling China to enter the international frontier in this field.

She functioned as an “invisible” hero in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Entrusted with the mission to carry out the nucleic acid test during the pandemic she led the nucleic acid testing team to fight at the front line against the pandemic. Upon the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, they strained every nerve to speed up the nucleic acid tests and the total number of nucleic acid tests ranked 1st in Hubei province, enabling a large number of patients to receive the timely and definite diagnosis and treatment. As a result, she along with her team made important contributions to pandemic prevention and control.

Wang Lin endeavored to break new ground and studied intensively, achieving a range of results that prepared her for her future achievements. Publishing many high-level papers (16 papers selected as the cover articles of authoritative journals) she has applied for more than 30 national and international patents of invention. In addition, she has acted as the Chief Editor or Deputy Chief Editor of 2 national planned textbooks for colleges of higher education and taken charge of over 10 national major scientific research projects.

Professor Wang Lin currently works as the Director of the Laboratory Department and the Center for Regenerative Medicine at the Union Hospital. Before the Zhong Nanshan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award, she was as honored with a China Young Women Scientists Award in 2017, China Youth Science and Technology Award in 2018, and several other key awards in China.

Written by: Yu Quan

Edited by: Hu Zhenxiang, Andrew, Jiang Jing