Yu Biao, executive director of the School of Chemistry and Materials Science of Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS), UCAS, chief professor of Organic Synthesis Design, researcher of Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and director of the State Key Laboratory of Bio-Organic and Natural Products Chemistry.
In December 2020, Yu Biao was awarded the Max Planck-Humboldt Research Award 2020. It is thehighest honor given to foreign scholars by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to commend the lifetime academic achievements of recipients, which enjoys a high international reputation.
In August 2021, Yu was awarded theRoy L. Whistler Award in Carbohydrate Chemistry for 2022 by the International Carbohydrate Organization. The Roy L. Whistler Award isthe highest international award in the field of carbohydrate chemistry, which is given every two years, with only one winner. Yu is thefirst Chinese scientist to win the award.
In November 2021, the Chinese Academy of Sciences issued the "Announcement of Newly Elected Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2021", and Yu wasnewly elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2021.
As reports of fresh successes kept pouring in within a year, many teachers and students of HIAS were excited and delighted about the reports and congratulated him. However, he rarely accepted the interview and often said that these honors were the result of the joint efforts of all team members and cooperators.
In fact, 54-year-old Yu has already become a representative in carbohydrate chemistry. His "glycosylation reaction"has been used by more than 100 peer laboratories worldwide, boosting the international visibility of China in carbohydrate chemistry.
Inventing "Yu Glycosylation"
Yu forges ahead on the road to carbohydrate chemistry.
The study of carbohydrate chemistry abroad has been carried out for more than 100 years. However, China’s research effort in this field was insufficient until the 1990s. In 1996, after completing one-year postdoctoral research in New York University, Yu returned to Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry under the order of his supervisor, professor Hui Yongzheng, and began to explore the field of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry in China.
Over the past two decades, Yu has led a research group to explore the shortcuts to obtaincarbohydrate synthesis, starting with sugars in Chinese herbal medicines.In 2011, he received the Second Prize of the State Natural Science Award on behalf of his team for a series of world-leading studies on complex and natural glycoconjugates; in 2008, he invented "Yu Glycosylation", realizing the synthesis of many complex sugar molecules. Last year his lab also produced the synthesis of 128 linear polymers of monosaccharides, extending the scope of carbohydrate synthesis to polysaccharides. Yu forged ahead on the road to carbohydrate chemistry.
Behind these amazing achievements is the accumulation of tedious experiments and repeated frustration of the entire team in the laboratory year after year. “Four doctoral students synthesized a glycosidic molecule after 20 years of efforts!” During an interview with Wiley, Yu mentioned that his only hobby is to conduct scientific research. What's special about scientific research for him is that he can solve problems one after another, which is very excited. With a passion for science, he continued to make more achievements in his field.
Twelve-year strong teacher-student bonding
Gathering at HIAS to renew the strong teacher-student bonding
Zhang Xiaheng, a specially appointed researcher of the School of Chemistry and Materials Science of HIAS, followed his supervisor Yu to study the total synthesis of complex and natural glycoconjugates when he was a doctoral student. Then he went to Princeton University in the US to conduct postdoctoral research and learned from professor David MacMillan, who won the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Zhang returned to China five years later. As an overseas high-level talent with two Nature papers, he finally joined the School of Chemistry and Materials Science as a full-time employee. In Zhang's view, working at HIAS can make him cooperate with his respected supervisor, and the school is a platform of integrating science and education with high potential. “HIAS attaches great importance to the growth and development of young people, which attracts me a lot. In such a pure scientific research environment, I hope to make new achievements.”
Among Yu’s many students, some are professors to conduct scientific research, while others become successful entrepreneurs. He always encourages them to do what they really like. “Mr. Yu respects young people's choices and supports them to follow their own path.” Zhang said. It is Yu’s "inclusiveness" that gives students the opportunity to try and make mistakes. Mature people must learn to be responsible for their own choices, which is what a person needs to learn.
Zhang is now a postgraduate supervisor, and his teaching styles are greatly influenced by Yu. “I remember that Mr. Yu repeated a phase ‘improving little by little every day’. Only by continuously increasing accumulation can a person rise abruptly based on its accumulated strength.” Zhang always encourages his students to set small goals. “I hope that small daily goals can give them a sense of accomplishment in scientific research and keep them preserve a spirit of high principles.”
Incorporating Ideological and Political Education into Teaching with “Scientific Research Stories”
Staying true to original aspiration and mission of fostering talents through scientific research
Fostering talents and cultivating virtue through education. Yu not only carried out scientific research, but also stayed true to the original aspiration and mission of fostering talents through scientific research with practical actions. He subtly influenced students with his rich research experience and inspiration. So far, Yu has trained (cooperative training) 60 doctoral students, 23 master's students and 14 postdoctoral fellows who have left the postdoctoral workstation, among whom 16 have become professors (researchers).
After listening to his class, many students' first impressions on him were humorous and knowledgeable. He consciously incorporated ideological and political education and moral education into his teaching process. He was described by his students as a teacher who is full of positive energy.
Yu told a variety of "scientific research stories" in his classroom, which were favored by his students. He opened the magic door to organic chemistry for the students by telling stories, such as Van't Hoff's chemical bonding structure of carbon tetravalent, the design and synthesis of molecular machines made by Jean-Pierre Sauvage and others, and the stories about the experiments Nobel Prize winners performed in labs.
He incorporated ideological and political education into his class with scientific research stories. “Originally I was not familiar with this field, but the lively and interesting explanation of Mr. Yu suddenly attracted me, making me want to acquire more knowledge in this field.” Students wrote down their true feelings on the teaching evaluation form. Yu told his students that only by understanding the past and future of organic chemistry can they learn this subject well. Standing on the shoulders of our predecessors makes us carry out research better, and their common spirit of constant exploration and never giving up is what inspires us to advance.
In terms of fostering students, Yu taught his students everything he knows. Cao Shen still has fresh memories of his exchanges with his supervisor Mr. Yu. “I was actually worried about disturbing him. Unexpectedly, he talked with me for a whole morning, advising me on everything from life to scientific research. I am glad to have such a good teacher,” Cao said.
For students, Yu is generous with his time; for himself, he is miserly with his time. “Except for necessary conferences and activities, he basically stays in his office and laboratory, even on weekends.” Cao said. Cao sees the great power brought by his supervisor's passion and dedication to academics. “Mr. Yu often said that his only hobby is to conduct scientific research. He is the scientist focusing on one thing in the whole life, and his spirit of ‘enjoying loneliness and overcoming difficulties’ makes me feel encouraged.” Cao said.
HIAS New Media Student Press Corps
Typesetter | Tong Sihui
Reporter and Editor | Jiang Xuchen and Wang Haoji
