Growing Interest in China

During my time studying abroad in Japan, I had the wonderful opportunity to make many international friends, a majority of which were Chinese students. I was deeply inspired by their diligence and support, which sparked my curiosity to explore China and experience its true essence. In 2012, I traveled to China for the first time, visiting vibrant cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Later, in 2013, I had the pleasure of exploring Guangzhou. The rich culture, delicious cuisine, and friendly people left a lasting impression on me. As a native of Nepal, which shares a border with China, I noticed several cultural and religious similarities between our nations. To my relief, the language barrier was not as daunting as I had feared, as most people in major Chinese cities could communicate in English. This wonderful travel experience left me yearning for more opportunities to return.

CAS PIFI and Work Life

In 2020, I was thrilled to receive the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences President’s International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI) Postdoctoral Fellowship, providing a great opportunity for me to grow professionally as a young researcher. I am very grateful to Professor Huang Jiandong for welcoming me into his team. With my background in bacteriology and molecular biology, I was eager to continue my work on developing treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. During my time at CAS’s Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), I had the chance to work on two projects. The first project, funded by PIFI, focused on comprehending the mechanisms of an antimicrobial peptide that inhibits bacterial biofilms. Before coming to China, I had previous experience working with bacteria and biofilms. Thus, my familiarity with the experimental procedures made it easier to work on this project. The Institute of Synthetic Biology (iSynBio) under SIAT provided a proper environment for this project, with a functional P2 lab for handling pathogenic microbes. Additionally, the lab was well-equipped with the necessary instruments, making it easy for me to complete this project. The second project involved developing a bacterial vaccine against Staphylococcal infections. Working with Professor Huang’s team was particularly beneficial as they specialize in vaccine development. This experience also helped expand my knowledge of immunology. I owe immense gratitude to Professor Huang and his team of experts for their exceptional mentorship and kindness. Besides PIFI, I also received support from the SIAT Outstanding Youth Innovation Fund. The research-friendly environment at SIAT has been highly motivating, and I thank CAS PIFI for supporting my stay and making me a part of the SIAT family.

Professor Huang Jiandong (second from right in first row) and his lab members [IMAGE: SIAT]

Challenges and Adaptations

Although I found my time at SIAT to be fulfilling, I have also faced some obstacles. The language barrier made it challenging to send samples to an outside company for analysis, as well as locating instruments at other institutes and contacting the right people. Fortunately, my Chinese and international friends at SIAT have been incredibly helpful in solving these problems. At times, I have needed assistance in understanding important emails and filling out forms in Chinese. I use some translation software, though it is not always reliable. So, whenever I encounter these issues, I turn to my Chinese colleagues for help. They patiently listen to my problem and explain everything to me, ensuring that I do not miss any important information. Their patience and generosity have made it easier for me to adjust to the Chinese work environment. Additionally, the recreational activities offered by SIAT, like Chinese calligraphy and painting, and making Chinese rice cakes, have provided a pleasant break from the demanding research schedule.

Participating in Chinese calligraphy event at SIAT [IMAGE: SIAT]

Embracing Global Collaboration

My experience of working in both Japan and China has reinforced the importance of establishing fruitful contacts and collaborations with different research groups for the advancement of science. The rapid progress in technology owes much to global communication and cooperation. While adapting to new places, such as learning a new language, making local friends, and dealing with culture shock can be challenging, I have learned that embracing diverse cultures with an open heart makes the process much smoother. The experience I have had in each country has helped me inculcate some new good qualities in me, such as “resilience” from living in Nepal, “politeness” from living in Japan, and “determination” from China. Also, as Charles Darwin once said, “In the long history of humankind, those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” So, in the years to come, I eagerly anticipate traveling to more places and engaging in domestic and international collaborations with CAS organizations.

Team of experts visiting SIAT and iSynBio colleagues [IMAGE: SIAT]

Life in Shenzhen

China has taken a huge leap in the past few years in the field of science and technology. Shenzhen stands out as a young city that has made remarkable strides in just 40 years to become one of the major contributors to China’s economy. This coastal city is adorned with lush greenery throughout the year. The climate is pleasant and comfortable, making life in Shenzhen truly enjoyable.

During my studies in Japan, I met an amiable Chinese student who was studying at the same university, and got married to him with the blessing of our beloved parents. Since then, I have found myself gradually immersed in the rich Chinese culture and life. Thus, despite the language barrier, having a Chinese family has helped me adapt to life in China. As a female researcher and a mother, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family, including my husband and in-laws, which allows me to focus on my work. I cherish spending time with my two lovely daughters, and the nearby Huizhou City has some nice beaches where we usually spend our family time together. Now, Shenzhen has become my cherished new home.

Future Directions

My PIFI experience at SIAT has been a transformative journey, leading me to embrace the vivid Chinese culture and the joy of conducting meaningful research. As I continue to thrive professionally and personally, I am grateful for the connections formed and look forward to future collaborations and further contributing to the global scientific community.

Preparing PCR mix [IMAGE: SIAT]

Source: Looniva Shrestha,

Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology,

Chinese Academy of Sciences