NIH-Funded Biomedicine Researcher Gao Zhonghua Joins Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology in China

Prominent Researcher Relocates to Shenzhen

Dr. Gao Zhonghua, a distinguished biomedicine researcher who previously received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has departed the United States to assume a full-time research professorship in China. Dr. Gao has joined the faculty of the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT), with his appointment becoming effective in January 2026. He is currently in the process of recruiting a research team for his new laboratory. This move signifies a notable development in the global scientific landscape, as China continues to attract top-tier talent to its burgeoning research institutions.

Dr. Gao's Expertise and Previous Affiliation

Prior to his relocation, Dr. Gao served as a tenured associate professor at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. His extensive research has focused on understanding the intricate mechanisms by which cell identity is established and maintained through epigenetic processes. Specifically, his work has explored the role of Polycomb group complexes in regulating chromatin structure and gene transcription. Dr. Gao's laboratory has also developed an in vitro neuronal differentiation model using both mouse and human embryonic stem cells, leading to the identification and characterization of novel components crucial for a subtype of the PRC1 complex. His ongoing research investigates how this regulation influences cell fate determination and its involvement in diseases such as cancer and autism.

Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology: A New Research Hub

Dr. Gao's new academic home, the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT), is a newly established institution with ambitious goals. Officially approved in May 2024 by China's Ministry of Education, SUAT is a research-oriented university co-founded by the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It aims to be a world-class research institution, focusing on fundamental and cutting-edge scientific and technological research. SUAT is strategically positioned to cultivate innovative talent for high-growth industries, including biomedicine and artificial intelligence, and is located within the Guangming Science City.

Broader Context of Scientific Talent Return

The return of Dr. Gao Zhonghua to China is part of a wider trend often referred to as a 'reverse brain drain,' where Chinese scientists and researchers who have worked abroad are increasingly returning to their home country. This phenomenon has been accelerating, influenced by factors such as China's increasing investment in scientific research, attractive incentives for returning scholars, and, in some cases, a perceived shift in the research environment in the United States. This movement of highly skilled professionals is contributing to China's growing scientific prominence and its efforts to establish itself as a global leader in various technological and scientific fields.