Prominent Chinese Researcher Hu Yijuan Rejoins Alma Mater, Peking University

Trend of Chinese Scientists Returning Home Grows with Hu Yijuan's Move to Peking University

A notable trend is emerging as scientists, particularly Chinese researchers, are returning to their home countries from the United States. Among these is biomathematician Hu Yijuan, who spent nearly two decades in the U.S. before rejoining her alma mater, Peking University.

Hu graduated from Peking University in 2005 and obtained her PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hu began a full-time role at the Beijing International Centre for Mathematical Research within Peking University, following her tenure as a professor of biostatistics at Emory University School of Public Health in 2011. Emory University gained notoriety in 2019 for abruptly dismissing two neuroscientists due to alleged undisclosed ties to China, which the scientists strongly denied.

According to a biography shared by Tsinghua University, where she delivered a guest lecture, Hu's return to China has been widely reported and appears to be supported by other online sources. Her distinguished career includes authoring 116 scientific papers with over 4,127 citations. This movement is not isolated; other scientists, like Albert Ai from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, are also making similar decisions. This shift in the scientific landscape suggests that foreign talent is increasingly opting to return home amid changing immigration policies and societal attitudes in the U.S. The return to Peking University marks a significant moment in her career and highlights the ongoing trend of Chinese scientists returning to their home country.

Editor's Note

Hu Yijuan's return to Peking University after nearly two decades in the United States highlights a significant trend of Chinese researchers choosing to return home. This movement underscores the changing landscape of global scientific talent, influenced by evolving immigration policies and societal attitudes in the U.S. With over 116 scientific papers and more than 4,127 citations, Hu's distinguished career marks her as a prominent figure in this trend. This return can also serve as a wake-up call for other prominent scholars to consider serving their own countries.

Skoobuzz believes that Hu's return to her alma mater is a notable moment in her career and reflects a broader movement of Chinese scientists contributing to their home country's academic and research institutions.