Wuhan, China — The School of Basic Medical Sciences at Tongji Medical College of HUST has forged a world-class faculty team honored as one of China’s first Huang Danian-style educator group—a honorable title in the name of Huang Danian, a revered Chinese strategic scientist known for his patriotic dedication to education and innovation. Since its founding in 2015, this multidisciplinary team has been committed to the nurturing of the next generation of leading medical researchers.

Education with a Mission: "Patriotism Fuels Innovation"

Led by Professor Lu Youming, a neuroscientist who returned to China in 2011 after 23 years of research work abroad, the team has been prioritizing patriotism and social responsibilities in their education of students. “We demand that every single student master modern scientific skills, and more importantly, be committed to the service of the people,” said Prof Lu. His open-door policy mirrors the team’s ethos: Mentorship transcends academics to include life guidance. No wonder students nickname his office a “safe harbor”.

Their accomplishments of the faculty team speak volumes: 27 national teaching awards, including China’s prestigious Teaching Achievement Award, and 17 textbooks co-authored by the members of the faculty team, which are now widely used across Chinese medical schools.

Pioneering Brain Science: From Laboratories to Global Leadership

Aligned with China’s Brain Science Initiative and teaming up with other global institutions, the team has been focusing on the research of memory neural circuits. Their attainments included 89 papers appearing in top journals (Nature Neuroscience, Cell, among others), 100 million CNY in national grants for 27 projects and 30 patents that drive translational medicine, such as therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

“Research and education go hand in hand,” noted Prof. Chen Jianguo, a pharmacologist. Students are encouraged to engage in cross-disciplinary laboratory research, make innovation, and take part in international conferences—a strategy that has produced award-winning young scientists now leading laboratories nationwide.

Building up a Talent-friendly Ecosystems: "No One Gets Left Behind"

In 2015, as the analytical testing center was still under construction, Prof. Lu took the lead when he opened his own laboratory and started the major instrument sharing service for all teachers and students. In 2023, the Building for Translational Medicine was activated, and Prof. Lu's team moved into the Brain Medicine Basic Research and Innovation Center. Just at that time, Prof. Lu decided to turn the laboratory of his team, covering virtually 500 square meters in the Basic Medicine Building, into a generally-accessible platform: the College's Shared Experimental Center. The scientific research instruments and equipment of the platform are now available to the young researchers who so far do not have their own laboratories. Prof. Lu believes that, for young researchers, the scientific and technological research is a race against clock and his team should do something to help them solve the practical problems.

“Young minds can’t afford to wait for perfect conditions.” Prof. Lu emphasized.

Passing the Baton

In 2023, Prof. Shi Anbing succeeded Prof. Lu as the dean, vowing to push forward the legacy initiated by Prof. Lu. Current projects of the team include expanding the Ministry of Education’s Brain Medicine Innovation Center and deepening EU-Asia collaborations.

“What defines us isn’t grand rhetoric, but relentless action,” as pointed by Mr. Qin Xuanbin, the Chairman of School of Basic Medical Science. As China pushes for scientific self-reliance, this team, which treasures tradition and adopts a global vision, is standing at the forefront, proving that education rooted in patriotism can fuel world-class innovation.