Prof. Jesse ZHU of Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo delivers lecture on "Research Strategy and Planning: How to prepare a research career"
PAIR Distinguished Lecture Series
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Date
12 Mar 2025
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Organiser
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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Time
10:30 - 12:00
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Venue
Senate Room, M1603, 16/F Li Ka Shing Tower, PolyU (Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis)
Speaker
Prof. Jesse ZHU
Enquiry
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research info.pair@polyu.edu.hk
Summary
Prof. Jesse ZHU, Senior Advisor to the President, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China, delivered the 36th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Research Strategy and Planning: How to Prepare a Research Career?” on 12 March 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted over 110 participants to join in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube.
Prof. Zhu kickstarted his presentation by sharing his personal anecdotes from his journey through academia and industry, emphasising that innovation, curiosity and a commitment to societal impact have guided his research trajectory. He stressed the importance of identifying meaningful research themes to ensure both academic rigor and real-world relevance, noting, “True scientific breakthroughs emerge when we chase fundamental truths, not just external accolades.”
Prof. Zhu illustrated these principles with examples from his cross-disciplinary work, including (i) healthcare innovation, the development of a rotating fluidiser which is a device that enable uniform particle suspension to optimise drug delivery systems; (ii) sustainable manufacturing, the application of nanoparticles in paint production to enhance flow efficiency and reduce environmental waste; and (iii) urban sustainability, pioneering compact wastewater treatment technologies for space-constrained urban environments.
In conclusion, Prof. Zhu underscored the transformative role of research in advancing global well-being, advocating for a balance between theoretical exploration and applied solutions. He urged students to cultivate resilience, collaborate across disciplines, and align their work with societal needs, that is, “persistence and purpose are the bedrock of a fulfilling research career.”
The event concluded with a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. Chen, where attendees explored topics ranging from funding strategies to various considerations in technology development with Prof. Zhu.
Please click here for an online review.
Photo Gallery
Notable scholar Prof. Jesse ZHU advises graduate students on research career preparation at PAIR Distinguished Lecture
Prof. Jesse Zhu
Distinguished University Professor and Canada Research Chair, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, Canada
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineering Institute of Canada, Chemical Institute of Canada, and European Academy of Sciences and Arts
Prof. Jesse ZHU is a Distinguished University Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University. He received his bachelor from Tsinghua University in 1982 and PhD from the University of British Columbia, and then worked for Shell before joining Western in 1993. In 1999, he established the Particle Technology Research Centre and a Research Chair Program. He is a Fellow of Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Engineering. Prof. Zhu has received many awards including the highest career award from the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, the highest Particle Technology Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the highest research award from Western University, and two major medals from Engineering Institute of Canada and Professional Engineers of Ontario. In January 2025, he has assumed the position of Vice President – Innovation at Eastern Institute of Technology, in Ningbo China.
Prof. Zhu has many years of experience in the research area of powder handling, fluidization, and multi-phase flow systems. With 500+ journal publications, 50+ patents, and over 300 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows supervised, he has worked on a very wide range of R&D projects, many from the industry. In addition to fundamental research, he is particularly active in technology development and transfer, with several inventions commercialized or being commercialized.
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