As a core figure in Product Design and Manufacture, Professor Xu Sun focuses her research on the human-centred design of products and services and their application to smart transportation and healthcare. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers in international journals and conferences, and currently serves as a reviewer for 10 SCI and SSCI journals. Dr Sun hosts many international (Arts and Humanities Research Council), domestic (National Natural Science Foundation of China), and industrial design projects.
Thushini Mendis is an Assistant Professor in Building Services and Engineering in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at UNNC. Dr Thushini Mendis recently received the President's Award for Scientific Research in Sri Lanka for high-impact publications in both 2019 and 2020. During her time at HUST and KDU, she conducted her doctoral research on photovoltaic integration on urban buildings in tropical climates, coupled with economic evaluation of photovoltaics and assessment of urban block typologies. She has published papers about her case studies in China and Sri Lanka. Her current research is focused on the evaluation of outdoor thermal comfort and urban block typologies coupled with building energy performance.
Dr Juan Wang leads a team dedicated to practical civil engineering at UNNC. Her research concentrates on the utilization of waste materials in transportation infrastructure engineering. She has collaborated with Ningbo Transportation Engineering Construction Group to build highways using waste soils, addressing the local issue of a large amount of construction waste. Dr Wang is a leading talent in her field and has made significant contributions to low-carbon transportation geotechnics.
In 2023, the University of Nottingham became the first university in the country to be awarded the coveted Athena Swan Gold Award for its commitment to advancing gender equality across higher education and research.
Students at UNNC also desire to make strides in their respective fields. Huaijin Pan, a final-year student in Chemical Engineering, aims to enhance research capabilities to address production bottlenecks in mRNA vaccines. Yixin Wang, another Chemical Engineering student, aspires to work in biopharmaceutical process engineering, tackling challenges in the pharmaceutical market. Yiwen Yan, a Year 2 Mathematics with Applied Mathematics student, plans to apply mathematical knowledge to biomedical research. Xinyi Wang, a final-year Computer Science student, hopes to inspire more women to pursue their dreams in technology. Yue Zhang, a final-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student, aims to transform laboratory research into practical industrial applications.
Many famous female scientists and engineers have made great contributions to the world. Marie Curie was the only woman honoured with both the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. Youyou Tu was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for her discoveries of a novel therapy against Malaria. Chien-Shiung Wu, a Chinese-American particle and experimental physicist, has made significant contributions in the fields of nuclear and particle physics.
These exceptional women serve as role models and sources of inspiration for the next generation of female researchers. As they break through barriers and overcome biases, they pave the way for others to follow their passions in scientific research. UNNC fosters an environment that encourages and supports the achievements of women in research, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse academic landscape.
Countless women have the potential to make more and greater contributions to the field of science. We must fully encourage women to participate in science, help them obtain more resources, and create a favourable environment and career development for them. Will the future of humanity be better?
We need the power of every scientist. Now, it’s time to support the power of “her” in science.