On October 1st, 2018, Chair Professor Xu Sheng joined the School of Earth System Science (SESS) in Tianjin University (TJU). In the past four years, he became a role model among the faculty members and students of SESS with his remarkable research ability.
Before entering TJU, Xu engaged in scientific research in several well-known institutes and universities, including Oil and Gas Research Center, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of CAS, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Geological Survey of Japan, Japan Atomic Energy Agency and University of Glasgow. He has devoted most of his lifetime to studying isotope geochemistry and geochronology.
“I feel very lucky and pleasant to conduct scientific research all my lifetime, especially at Tianjin University”, said Xu. Enjoying its academic atmosphere and cultivating excellent students, working at the university is a blessed thing for achieving his scientific research dream,
Xu’s scientific research
Xu has fulfilled his dream to continue research on noble gas isotope geochemistry at SESS, with ideal experimental conditions. Besides, He undertook a research project approved by China Earthquake Administration in 2018. This is of great significance for him that the research has been recognized by his peers and its practical application value is important to the country.
Later, Xu goes better in research. He successively presided over one provincial level and three national key scientific research projects, covering multiple disciplinary fields such as the deep carbon emissions, landform evolution and chemical weathering of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. These programs play a crucial part in basic and applied research related to national demands, like resources, environment and disasters.
Nice academic atmosphere
Xu enjoys the congenial atmosphere in every aspect of SESS.
At work, the school has prepared the required lab, equipment and office before his participation. In daily life, the school provides him with meticulous care during the epidemic.
Xu particularly likes the academic atmosphere in SESS. Here, the scientific research team is pyramid-shaped with different age groups. And more than 80% of the professional teachers have international study or work experience. Many faculty members have held positions in international academic organizations, chaired academic conferences, editorial boards of academic journals, and undertaken major international cooperation projects. All of these talents are inclusive and equal, open in thinking and acting, and friendliness with each other. They often communicate and produce new ideas in a warm and relaxed ambience.
In such great atmosphere, Xu has made fruitful achievements, a total of 48 academic papers affiliated with Tianjin University were published. Being the first or corresponding author, he has produced 23 papers in prominent journals like Nature Communications.
Cultivate excellent students
“Professor Xu is a good teacher in students’ hearts because he cares about their study, life and thoughts,” said Xu Yanping, the Secretary of the Party Committee of SESS.
In Xu’s opinion, the teacher's role is to guide students to open their eyes. He pays attention to each student carefully and caters to students' individual needs. In addition, his teaching integrates international concepts and scientific thinking into the cultivation of talents, he also concentrates on improving their social responsibility and research capacity.
Under his guidance, several Ph.D. candidates awarded the national scholarships, the excellent student paper award in national academic conference, Merit Student of TJU, and some have been selected to the cultivation plan of Tianjin Research Innovation Project for Postgraduate Students.
“In TJU, I am able to focus on crucial projects and publish influential papers; my work can get peer recognition, I could cultivate students who are willing to do scientific research with great ability. So doing scientific research here is a blessing for me,” said Xu.
By: Wang Ruoqing
Editor: Qin Mian
