Huaijin Pan, a recent graduate from the Chemical Engineering programme of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), has successfully received offers from several prestigious universities worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).
Among her peers, Huaijin is seen as a "polymath," holding honours such as the Dean' s Scholarship and the Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship. Outside the classroom, she was actively involved in multiple research projects and served as a sports coach, demonstrating a remarkable balance of academic and extracurricular achievements. "My secret is to stay true to myself and continuously improve, letting everything else fall into place naturally." Said Huaijin.
Huaijin' s interest in biochemistry was sparked during the pandemic. Curious about the nature of viruses and how vaccines are rapidly developed, she joined Professor Bencan Tang' s research project as an assistant during the summer of her second year. The project focused on addressing a common issue with gastrointestinal drugs, where medicines are digested before reaching the targeted site. Huaijin contributed to improving drug delivery by using polydopamine (PDA) encapsulated nanoparticles to enhance the release of a colorectal cancer drug, ensuring it reached its intended location.
Reflecting on this experience, Huaijin said, "I enjoyed the intellectual exchange with my supervisor and team members, which allowed us to refine our research outcomes."
Despite securing admission to prestigious institutions like University of Cambridge and Johns Hopkins University, Huaijin chose to pursue a fully-funded PhD at HKUST, focusing on mRNA vaccine development. This decision, she explains, was influenced by a research project at HKUST during her third year' s summer. The project explored the artificial synthesis of a unique protein known as "lasso peptide," which holds potential for enhancing antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Huaijin believes that if this protein can be synthesised, it could revolutionise mRNA vaccine production, making it scalable during public health emergencies.
Huaijin' s journey from Professor Tang' s project to the artificial synthesis of lasso peptides, and now to mRNA therapy, reflects her evolution from a curious observer to an explorer in biochemistry.
"UNNC taught me how to maintain my passion for exploration in an ever-changing world and to stay composed and confident in the face of challenges," Huaijin shares. "My university life was like an 'infinite game' - there were no fixed rules or winners, only the focus on personal growth and continuous exploration." As she graduated, Huaijin is set to embark on the next chapter of her infinite game in life.
Published on 02 July 2024