Prize-winning US physicist Gao Huajian returns to China after decades overseas
- ‘Master researcher’ joins Tsinghua University for next chapter of glittering international career that has included top awards in his field
- The expert in solid mechanics said he is thrilled to be back in China and hopes to inspire his students to do cutting-edge research
In a release announcing the appointment, Qiu Yong, secretary of the university’s party committee, said the mechanician was known as a “master researcher” in his field. “We feel very lucky and touched that out of many options, he chose to become a member of the Tsinghua family.”
According to Qiu, Gao is expected to play “an indispensable role” in talent training and innovation, using his international influence to boost its engineering programmes, and eventually “help China achieve scientific and technological self-reliance”.
In a video posted on the university’s official WeChat account on Sunday, Gao said that he had wanted to return to China for a long time.
“I can’t express how thrilled I am to start this new chapter in my life. Tsinghua has so many excellent students. I hope to inspire their confidence and passion so that they can do cutting-edge research,” he said.