In 2017, when I got the good news of having been awarded the CAS PIFI fellowship at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), I felt it was an honor to participate in the program. It was a great opportunity to share knowledge and broaden my mind in the fields of ecology, biotechnology and microbiology, the fields where I generally do my research. After finishing my PhD in Germany, I planned to get some postdoc experience abroad. China was one of my target countries to pursue my research, as it offers a great scientific environment. Additionally, it was also a chance to discover the cultural differences in a multi-ethnic China which boasts cultural diversity, art and architecture. I worked in Professor Zhang Daoyuan’s group at the XIEG looking at the invasive insect, Agrilus mali, especially its larval stage. This species causes destructive damage of wild apple (Malus sieversii) populations in the Tianshan forests of western China. In the group we determined its molecular phylogeny and life cycle. However, to work with this insect in laboratory conditions, we needed to develop insect rearing. Our developed artificial diet indicated that we could establish this system. The region is a very comfortable place for this invasive insect and it has extensively multiplied. To understand the high adaptability of this insect, we analyzed larvae gut microbiota, and saw that microbial diversity differed with another individual of the same species from Central China. Within two years I had published two first author papers and another one is ongoing.

The research atmosphere in our group where I did my research is very friendly and helpful. In particular, young Chinese scientists and students work hard. Young students work on their topics with great enthusiasm. Here I would like to thank Professor Daoyuan and all of the lab members who helped and supported me from the start to settle in very quickly. Often, because of language barriers, lab members helped me with documentations. A friendly and welcome environment made me feel very at ease in the group.

Urumqi is a city where our institute is located, where a mix of different cultures can be seen. I visited different places in the city and came to know that they are really beautiful, and are must-see places for newcomers. Culturally, Chinese cuisine is also diverse, and I like all of the different types. For the first time, I experienced “hotpot” restaurants, and it was a whole new restaurant world. I am sure I will miss this kind of hotpot restaurant in my country.

In 2019 I attended a “Belt and Road” conference in Beijing dedicated to different scientific fields. It was impressive, and a good chance to spread scientific knowledge. Additionally, I was very impressed by the city, especially during our visit to the Forbidden City. Our hotel was located near to the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, and that gave me a chance to visit it. In December 2019 we visited Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, to the central city Yinchuan for a workshop on desertification. We were taken to the sandy desert in this region where we saw how China struggles against desertification by planting plants with drip irrigation systems.

It was a great experience for me to work and live in China. All my memories of China are very positive. I recommend scientists apply for the CAS PIFI fellowship. I am very grateful to CAS for providing me with the opportunity to do research in China, and to Professor Zhang Daoyuan and Professor Zhang Yuanmin for mentoring me, providing guidance and hosting me during my fellowship.

Source: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography,

Chinese Academy of Sciences