SUSTech Assistant Professor Kejie CHEN (Earth and Space Sciences) was recently selected into the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) Young Talents Support Program. He is part of the 5th batch, representing 2019-2021.

On July 23, a group of 17 students and teachers from the Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS) at Southern University of Science and Technology traveled to Wenchang in Hainan Province. The group, led by Professor Shengyi YE and Associate Professor Jian YANG, went to observe the launch of China’s first Mars exploration mission, Tianwen-1.

Juexiao ZHOU ('20, Biology) has long dreamed of being a scientist. Dreams were the very thing that puzzled and motivated him. From his middle school days, he was intrigued by the concept of the “dreamscape,” lucid dreaming,” and the ability to control one’s dreams.

While the vast majority of our graduates continue on their paths in science or engineering, now and then, one of our students finds themselves taking the path far less trodden. This year, one such student is Wanning LIAO (’20, Chemistry). While she is graduating from Shuli College with a BSc in Chemistry, she has found a new passion in architecture.

When it comes to facing the environmental challenges facing the world today and the future, some students choose to study the environmental sciences or change majors to head down this academic pathway. However, Qikun HU (’20, Chemistry) took a distinctly different path, opting to follow his heart to study Chemistry and investigate photovoltaic cells. It represents his dream as a high school student, where he would grow crystals in what little spare time he had.

As our students prepare to move onto new pastures as they finish their graduation projects, one associate professor is experiencing a bittersweet experience. Four members of his research group will depart as outstanding representatives of the Class of 2020 to world-renowned universities around the world.