On the afternoon of June 30, the 10th edition of "The Power of Role Models"—an advanced figure interview series—was hosted by the University’s Labor Union and co-organized by grassroots trade unions at the Academic Exchange Center. Song Fajun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Vice President, and Chairperson of the University’s Labor Union, attended the event. The interview featured distinguished guests, including: Fu Haiyan, Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Zhang Daohong, Director of the Scientific Research and Development Institute; Chen Xiangjun, Dean of the School of Ethnology and Sociology; Li Conghao, Dean of the College of the Chinese Nation Community, along with Associate Deans Li Xuebao and Fang Qingyun. The event was moderated by Zhang Pei, a faculty member from the School of Foreign Languages, and drew over 100 attendees, including faculty and student representatives from across the university.

Professor Fu Haiyan has long been engaged in research on novel methodologies and technologies for food and drug safety, quality control, and authenticity traceability, committed to safeguarding public health security ("safety on the tip of the tongue"). Her distinguished achievements include being: Listed among the World's Top 2% Scientists (2024), ranked in the Top 100,000 Global Scientists (2022), Selected as the representative for Cadmium (Cd) in the IUPAC Periodic Table of Younger Chemists. During the event, Professor Fu shared her groundbreaking research in food and drug safety and demonstrated how public science education initiatives (including popular science courses and portable detection devices) are making this critical knowledge accessible to households nationwide.

On-site Interview with Professors Fu Haiyan. Picture Source: Labor Union

Professor Zhang Daohong, head of the Innovation Team of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission and the Hubei Natural Science Innovation Group, has pioneered breakthroughs in automotive lightweight materials and energy-efficient manufacturing technologies. His team’s work on hyperbranched polymers—particularly in enhancing plastic-glass fiber composites—earned them the 2024 Hubei Provincial Technology Invention Award (First Prize). By collaborating with industry leaders like KINGFA and Suzhou Taihu Electric Advanced Materials, Zhang’s innovations have driven the commercialization of high-performance materials, contributing to over RMB 10 billion in industrial output value and supporting the listing of partner enterprises. During the interview, Professor Zhang elaborated on his outstanding research accomplishments and insights into cultivating young talents.

Interview with Professors Zhang Daohong. Picture Source: Labor Union

At the event, Professor Chen Xiangjun shared how wildlife photography strengthened his determination to become an anthropologist, demonstrating the appeal of anthropological studies through his extensive fieldwork experience. He ventured into Xinjiang's Gobi Desert to study wild horses, with his research spanning from the Junggar Basin to the Pamir Plateau across grasslands and mountain ranges. Professor Chen emphasized that fieldwork serves as a rite of passage for anthropologists, through which he gained profound understanding of natural environments, wildlife, and local communities. He also shared his experiences in mentoring students and initiating reading clubs, encouraging students to explore boldly without fear of failure.

On-site Interview with Professor Chen Xiangjun. Picture Source: Labor Union

Professors Li Conghao, Li Xuebao, and Fang Qingyun jointly presented the achievements of the College of the Chinese Nation Community in teaching, research, talent cultivation, and social services. They emphasized that the college always keeps in mind its national mission, implementing the core requirements of fostering the consciousness of the Chinese nation as a community through teaching the "General Introduction to the Chinese Nation Community" course, pilot construction of interdisciplinary studies on the Chinese nation community and establishment of the Research Base for Strengthening the Consciousness of the Chinese Nation as a Community. the college is committed to becoming: an important talent cultivation base, and a theoretical research center, a new high-end think tank for building the Chinese nation community in the new era.

On-site Interview with Professors Li Conghao, Li Xuebao, and Fang Qingyun. Picture Source: Labor Union