After spending three decades in the United States, renowned computational biologist Bao Zhirong has returned to his home country to take a significant position at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen. He is well-known for his contributions to cancer genomics, particularly for developing imaging technologies that can track the behavior of individual cells during the formation of organs and the emergence of diseases. Bao’s expertise will be instrumental as he transitions into his new role at SUSTech, where he has already been recognized as a chair professor since January.

Prior to his return, Bao served at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, an elite institution recognized for its remarkable cancer research and treatment programs. During his tenure there, he directed various multimillion-dollar research projects supported by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), demonstrating his influence and capability in the field of biomedical research. His return to China marks a significant shift in his career, with the intent to apply his knowledge and research techniques to the study of brain circuits related to autism, a project he plans to pursue in Shenzhen.

Bao Zhirong's return is indicative of a larger trend of Chinese scientists returning home from Western institutions, fostering development in local research capabilities. His work could potentially lead to breakthroughs in understanding autism, a pressing global health challenge. The move might also enhance collaboration between global and domestic research fields, further strengthening China's presence in the scientific community, particularly in the domain of computational biology and genetic research.