After years of building a formidable academic career in Europe and Asia, scientist Lin Shaozhen has just returned to China to take up a position as a professor and research supervisor at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong Province. However, instead of receiving the admiration he deserves, he has become the target of a wave of ridicule on social media.

According to an announcement on the website of Sun Yat-sen University, Professor Lin Shaozhen, now in his 30s, has officially become a full-time lecturer at the university since February this year. Previously, he taught at Aix-Marseille University (France) and the National University of Singapore.

dentistry.jpg
After many years of studying and researching abroad, physicist Lin Shaozhen returned to China to work at Sun Yat-sen University. Photo: SCMP

However, according to SCMP , in just the past few days, the name Lin Shaozhen suddenly appeared on the Chinese social networking app RedNote, attracting hundreds of comments mocking his appearance, mainly targeting his tilted head - believed to be due to congenital torticollis.

From poverty to rise with extraordinary determination

Born in Ganzhou City (Jiangxi Province), Lin Shaozhen participated in a tuition support program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. With his will and outstanding achievements, this student won the highest score in the university entrance exam (gaokao) in his hometown and was admitted to Tsinghua University in 2009 - the most prestigious school in China.

At Tsinghua, Lin Shaozhen maintained an excellent academic record. He graduated at the top of his class with a major in physics in 2013, and then went on to pursue a doctorate in biomechanics.

His research focuses on theoretical and experimental investigations of how cells move in groups, especially the multi-level and multi-mechanical coordinated locomotor behaviors of bioactive soft matter, such as embryos and tumors.

In 2017, as lead author, he published a study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - marking an important step forward in the study of the mechanics of embryonic development.

Graduated in 2019, Lin Shaozhen received the Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award in Mechanics - an award given to only 5 people each year, as well as the title of “Outstanding Graduate of Tsinghua University” (top 4% of the entire class). He published 10 papers during his time at Tsinghua University.

International career and proud recognition

After completing his doctoral program, Lin Shaozhen continued his academic career at Aix-Marseille University (France) and then the National University of Singapore. He has had many more research works published in prestigious academic journals such as Nature Physics , Physical Review Letters , and has been cited and commented positively by international experts.

Trung Son University.png
Sun Yat-sen University (China) - where Professor Lin Shaozhen works. Photo: Sysu.edu.cn

Professor Lin Shaozhen’s return to China this year is part of a national program to attract young, internationally-qualified talents. The program’s requirements are strict – applicants must have worked for at least three years at a major university abroad, along with an excellent research record. Many Chinese scientists working abroad have returned under this program.

Mixed reactions and questions of social justice

Along with the ridicule about his appearance, there were also voices supporting Professor Lin Shaozhen on social media. An account named Tri Tuc Thuong Lac shared: “Please do not speak ill of Professor Lin Shaozhen. He is my good friend and he is very excellent. He comes from a poor background and was able to enter Tsinghua University thanks to his efforts and the help of his relatives. He refused a permanent position abroad to return to contribute to his homeland.”

“In Tsinghua, I have never heard anyone talk about Master Lin Shaozhen like this comment. If we condemn social injustice, why mock the poor who have bravely overcome their fate?”, this person added.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nha-khoa-hoc-vat-ly-ve-nuoc-lam-giao-su-nhieu-nguoi-lai-che-gieu-vi-ngoai-hinh-2399486.html