Red-letter day for scientists as festival opens
Anti-virus luminaries, renowned scientists and budding inventors graced the red carpet on Sunday morning at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Science Festival.
Zhong Ming, an expert in intensive care at Zhongshan Hospital, was the first to walk the red carpet outside the Shanghai Exhibition Center, waving his hands as if he was a movie star in line for an Oscar.
As the first Shanghai doctor to go to the front line, Zhong hit the road to Wuhan, the former epicenter of the novel coronavirus epidemic, on January 23, two days before the Chinese New Year.
Another household name, Zhang Wenhong, didn’t seem as relaxed as Zhong as he almost went the wrong way. But he quickly found the entry.
Anti-virus luminary Zhang Wenhong
Zhang is an infectious disease expert from Huashan Hospital and head of Shanghai’s expert coronavirus treatment team. He won the public’s heart for his medical professionalism, and being humble and witty. He used simple and funny words to explain complicated medical facts, some of which have gone viral.
“I had thought the science festival would be all about the very cutting-edge technologies of aerospace or underground drilling,” he said. “But this year’s event is focused on medical science, which is closely related to daily life.”
Zhang said science and technology has helped a lot in the fight against the pandemic, and it will be the most powerful weapon against the virus.
Doctor Zhong Ming had been sent to help in Wuhan.
“Everyone wants the pandemic to go away," he said. "But I have to say that it at least lasts one to two years even with the help of leading technologies. We should prepare for a long-term war. Meanwhile, we are working to develop vaccines and medicines as well as improving scientific prevention and control strategies."
Shao Junbin, chief executive of Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tech Co, was so excited to walk the red carpet.
“I’m so honored to be here," he said. "I can feel that the government is caring about privately owned technology companies."
During the pandemic, his company quickly developed a detection kit, becoming one of the first companies that received approval for COVID-19 detection reagents. One detection kit can test 1 to 48 people at a time, and the result can be obtained within one hour. It has been exported and used in more than 50 countries and regions around the world.
Richard Lo-man, head of the Pasteur Shanghai Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences
The 2020 Shanghai Science Festival begins on Sunday.
Another eminent scientist attending the festival was neuroscientist Mu-ming Poo.
Poo is the academic director of the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Led by him, the city’s researchers have made many achievements, including world-pioneering research on nonhuman primates.
“To become a global innovation center, the city should care about the most cutting-edge technologies, and try to lead the world in the city’s advantageous industries rather than following advancing countries in the West,” he said.
Also, he pointed out that it’s of vital importance to foster the next generation of scientists.
“I hope children can come and attend a variety of activities in the next week to develop an interest in science and technology," he said. "Also, I hope schools encourage students to think independently instead of simply feeding them with knowledge."
Overseas scientists have played a vital role in the city’s development to become a global innovation center.
Due to the pandemic, Richard Lo-man, head of the Pasteur Shanghai Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, was this year’s only overseas expert attending the festival.
His research work on immune regulation in the neonatal period has proved fruitful. He is a leading figure in international pediatric immunity and has made great contributions in the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases.
Other “stars” walking the red carpet included Gong Jiancun, who was in charge of the BeiDou-III satellite system; Wang Xianzhong, deputy chief designer of the Mars Exploration Mission Probe System; Huang Hefeng, who has made groundbreaking research on the mechanisms of genetically inherited diseases.
Two budding inventors, Li Peihan and Zhan Lin, both middle school students, also walked the red carpet. They were standouts in local TV show “Junior Edison,” a program for global young inventors to show their talent.
The city’s annual science festival runs to August 29 with more than 1,800 activities on offer.
