Symposium showcases UNMC-China research

As the gift to UNMC from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was unveiled, it drew audible oohs, ahhs and wows yesterday at the 5th Annual Joint Research Symposium at the Durham Research Center Auditorium.

But despite the handcrafted traditional Chinese artwork’s beauty, it is more significant for what it represents, said its presenter, Le Kang, Ph.D., president of the Beijing Institutes of Life Science.

Dr. Gold and Dr. Kang at the research symposium.

In Chinese culture, the plum blossom, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum depicted in the gift embody much-prized noble personal qualities, including loyalty and moral courage. The presentation of such a gift shows that the giver has found friends with such characteristics.

Dr. Kang continued: “What are friends? Friends are those who know your past. Who support your today. Who believe in your future.”

That emphasis on the future shows that UNMC and its Chinese partners have seen what began as friendship now deepen into true partnership, several stakeholders said.

“You can see evidence of that in this symposium,” said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research. “In years past, we had multiple people talking about their science. And now we are talking about science together.”

Said Ken Bayles, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for basic science research, “We thought, now it’s time we move to the next phase, where we really highlight some of those established collaborations.”

Those included Dr. Bayles’ collaboration with Junhui Wang, Ph.D., of Zhejiang University, and several other joint research projects shown here.

The annual joint symposium, highlighting the collaborative work of UNMC and its partners in China, alternately hosted by UNMC and the CAS, was the first for new Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

Dr. Gold hailed such international collaboration as further evidence UNMC is constantly striving to be what he refers to as a “relevant” university.

“Fundamentally, these partnerships are about human beings that share a common goal and a common vision about building a better future for our planet,” said Dr. Gold. “And in this room, in our combined laboratories across the world, in the classrooms of our combined enterprise, we are dedicated to that mission every single day.”

Though the symposium’s emphasis was on established collaborations, Guo-tong Xu, M.D., Ph.D., dean and professor at the Tongji University School of Medicine, could not let opportunity slip by.

“If there is anybody who does not have a partner in China yet, contact me,” he said.