Harvard Postdocs’ Entrepreneurial Dream Comes True

Seizing the Opportunity

Wang Junfeng was the first to return to China. He obtained his master’s degree from Peking University in 1995, and started his postdoctoral research in the Harvard Medical School Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology in 2004. Having published many articles in Nature and other top journals, his scientific research achieved wide recognition.

As a specialist in research on nuclear magnetic resonance and structural biology, Wang is cognizant of the significance of strong magnetic field devices. Upon completion, the 40-tesla steady-state magnetic field would be one of the world’s foremost, and integral to his research. Meanwhile, the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science made the commitment to put Wang in charge of building and heading the Magnetic Resonance Life Science Department of CAS High Magnetic Field Center. It was this rare opportunity that prompted Wang Junfeng to come to the island with his family in 2009.

At first, the center lacked certain key experimental apparatus and equipment. Wang had to take experimental samples, and scoured the country for equipment suitable for carrying out experiments.

Zhang Na (left) discusses an experimental design with his student.

One year later, the buildings comprising the SHMFF were completed, and a wide range of experimental facilities were successfully set up. But Wang still had to resolve the most important matter of finding the life science talents needed to work and pursue their research there.

His thoughts naturally turned to seven of his former peers from Harvard Medical School.