"On hearing the news that Tu Youyou won the Noble Prize, my heart sped up quickly. For one thing, it represented worldwide recognition for the contributions made by Chinese scientists. For another, the action of artemisinin, separated by Tu and applied to cure malaria, is similar to the nervous control system I’ve been focusing on that can potentially relieve the pain of patients suffering from Alzheimer, Parkinsonism and many other brain diseases. Tu’s experience gives me a better perspective and more determination toward the future that I’ll take scientific research as my lifelong career and make a contribution to human beings."
-- From Liu Chen, a doctoral student, Tianjin University
Liu Chen entered the School of Electrical Engineering and Automation of Tianjin University in 2007, and then continued her study in Control Theory and Engineering in 2011. For her, gaining the honor of Outstanding Student Model of Tianjin University in 2015 marked a successful ending of her 8 and a half years as a student in Tianjin University, and at the same time, added a new chapter for her as a young teacher.
When pursuing her PhD, she always had a rigorous and precise attitude towards scientific work and she has always taken the lead in experimental studies. She has participated in a number of major scientific projects, including four projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and three in Tianjin. Besides that, she took an active part in the writing and arranging the work of an experimental monograph entitled Modeling and Analysis of EEG Signals of the Neural System, and Modeling and Control of the Neural System. So far, she has published 27 academic papers, including 21 SCIs, and was first author of 9 papers. What’s more, one of her works was published in "Chinese Science" and has achieved high appreciation and recognition. Up to now, the numbers of citations of her work have reached 101. 68 times cited by others and 33 times by herself: the total impact on her SCI theses has now reached 54.984. Moreover, she was the first one to win an award from the 14th Scientific Prize in Tianjin University.
In addition, Liu takes an active part in all kinds of academic exchange activities. Until now, she has had two extended periods studying overseas and participated in 8 international and national meetings. Liu said the half year exchange experience in HK and one year experience in the USA greatly broadened her international horizons, and encouraged her to be fully engaged in corresponding scientific research work. Besides, she said she had the privilege of communicating with experts and scholars from all around the world, which greatly helped her research.
Asked how she continuously makes innovations and breakthroughs, she said: "I once had a discussion with my classmates about the future when I was in high school. Since we were all interested in medical science, we came up with something very creative, thinking that we could build a micro-robot and apply it to neoplastic disorders. However, not until I entered the Challenge Cup at Tianjin University did I have the opportunity to realize my idea. I outlined my theory in my essay, combined with relevant knowledge, and won an award in the competition through which I saw the opportunity to take this further. Then, learning that my tutor, Professor Wang Jiang was an expert in relevant field, I went forward down this road of scientific innovation and research, and proceeded without hesitation.
Liu said she will stay at Tianjin University as a teacher. She promised to be the best she can make herself in her contribution to her alma mater.
