Paris, 14 May – The Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO are proud to reveal the names of the five laureates of the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. On 28 May, at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, these researchers will be honoured for their pioneering research in life and environmental sciences, and in particular for their major contribution to tackling global public health challenges ranging from cancer to infectious diseases such as malaria and polio and chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and epilepsy.

On August 3, 2023, the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL) together kicked off the construction for the integrated permanent site in Guangming Science City, Shenzhen. The integrated construction of SMART and SZBL will serve a key role in Shenzhen’s development of a pilot demonstration area. It is also a milestone represents a new step forward for SMART and SZBL in carrying out their future vision. QIN Weizhong, Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government, attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction.

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) announced on July 4 the full name list of its newly elected membership. This 2023 EMBO annual list named 60 Members and nine Associate Members, in recognition of their contribution to promote excellence in life sciences. Chinese scientist Nieng Yan ,the Founding Director of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART), Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL), is among the nine Associate Members elected to join EMBO this year.

The second SMART Symposium, organized by the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (preparatory) and co-organized by the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, was successfully held at the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory High-tech Innovation Center.

On March 22nd, Prof. Nieng Yan, President of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (planned) and Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (concurrent) and Prof. Yun-Dong Wu, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Executive Vice Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, made statements successively. Xiaojun Hu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, presided over the meeting.

The 1st SMART Symposium was held on February 12-13, 2023 at the International Conference Center of University Town of Shenzhen. Notable invitees included Dr. Muming Poo, Academic Director of the Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Director of the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the Shanghai Center of Brain Science and Inspired-Brain Technology as well as Dr. Yang Dan, Professor of Neurobiology at the University of California, Berkeley and Researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Various experts and scholars from renowned universities, research institutes, and medical and health institutions in China gathered in Shenzhen to update their research progress and development in their fields. They exchanged opinions on technological trends and how to encourage original innovation. The seminar, mainly two parts, was held in hybrid forms (online and in-person) and included academic presentations and discussions around innovative research. There are more than 200 attendees on site with nearly 2,000 participants joining in the conference online.

On December 10th 2022, Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) (planned) was unveiled. Professor Nieng Yan, President of SMART (planned), pledged to put up great and pioneering efforts to transform SMART into a prominent institution for talent cultivation, scientific research, translational innovation, with a strong presence in Shenzhen, leading the Greater Bay Area, impacting the nation, and achieving international recognition.

At 11:30 am on November 1st, 2022, Professor Nieng Yan, wearing a pair of white shoes, gracefully walked walked onto the stage of the 2022 Shenzhen Global Innovation Talent Forum. The large screen behind her shows “There and Back Again”.