When Liu Qizhen ’26 first entered ShanghaiTech University, he had little idea what scientific research really involved.
“I had never done experiments, never learned programming, and didn’t know how research projects were carried out,” he recalled.
Four years later, Liu has grown into a young researcher whose experiences span scientific research, innovation competitions, entrepreneurship, and social engagement. A graduating senior from the School of Life Science and Technology (SLST), Liu was named one of the 100 representatives of the 2024–2025 National Scholarship undergraduate recipients nationwide and received the 2026 ShanghaiTech President’s Award, the highest honor at ShanghaiTech.
Looking back on his undergraduate journey, Liu believes that research is not only about exploring the unknown—it is also about creating solutions that can make a meaningful difference in society.
Discovering research through exploration
Liu’s research journey began during his freshman year when he joined ShanghaiTech’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team.
At ShanghaiTech, undergraduate students are encouraged to engage in research early, working alongside faculty members and senior students on real-world projects. For Liu, iGEM became an entry point into scientific inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration.
In 2023, the team launched a project inspired by the “blue tears” phenomenon observed along China’s southeastern coast, where marine microorganisms emit blue light under certain conditions. Seeking to improve the performance of fluorescent proteins, Liu taught himself machine learning techniques and participated in building predictive models to support experimental design.
“Most of the things we did were learned along the way,” he said. “That process of figuring things out for ourselves was what made research so rewarding.”
The experience sparked his long-term interest in scientific research. Over the following years, he progressed from team member to executive leader and academic advisor, helping guide multiple iGEM projects and contributing to the team’s continued success in international competitions.
Liu Qizhen (center) and his teammates participate iGEM competition in Paris.
For Liu, one of the most valuable lessons he learned at ShanghaiTech was the confidence to take on challenges beyond his comfort zone.
“ShanghaiTech taught me to be ambitious about my ideas and to have the courage to turn them into reality,” he said.
Looking beyond the lab
As his academic interests evolved, Liu became increasingly interested in biomedical research and drug development.
During his sophomore year, he joined a research project focused on developing therapeutic approaches for bacterial infection-related diseases. Progress was slow. For months, repeated experiments failed to produce the expected results.
Instead of giving up, Liu continued refining experimental strategies and analyzing potential causes of failure. After months of persistence, he and his collaborators finally identified the key bottleneck and made significant progress in the project. Their work eventually led to the identification of a promising molecule for future therapeutic development.
The experience reshaped his understanding of scientific research.
“Research is rarely about dramatic breakthroughs,” he said. “Most of the time, it is about learning from failure and gradually finding the right direction.”
At the same time, he began asking a broader question: How can scientific discoveries create real-world value?
Through his involvement in project development and innovation competitions, Liu became increasingly aware of the challenges involved in translating research outcomes into products that can benefit society. To better understand the pathway from laboratory discovery to practical application, he pursued additional studies in finance and entrepreneurship.
In 2025, he founded TekNexus, a campus-based academic networking platform that encourages students to share research opportunities, innovation experiences, and translational insights. The platform has since attracted nearly one thousand registered users.
Today, Liu and his collaborators are exploring ways to advance research findings related to skin health toward practical applications.
“Many valuable discoveries should not stop at publication,” he said. “They should have the opportunity to create broader impact.”
Understanding why research matters
For Liu, growth has not been limited to research and innovation.
During a summer field immersion program in Liangshan mountain region, Sichuan Province, he volunteered as a teacher for local students. The experience left a lasting impression.
“It made me realize how valuable educational opportunities are,” he said. “It also made me think about how I could use what I have learned to contribute to society.”
That perspective has continued to influence his choices.
Whether selecting research topics or leading student teams, Liu increasingly evaluates success not only by academic achievements but also by the potential to address real-world needs.
Before graduation, he also became involved in establishing a student organization focused on biomedical innovation and technology translation, with the goal of helping promising student projects continue developing beyond competition cycles.
Continuing academic journey at ShanghaiTech
This fall, Liu will continue his academic journey through a PhD program in gene editing.
“Genes are the fundamental code of life,” he said. “I hope to contribute to research that can transform the way diseases are treated.”
Looking further ahead, he already has a clear long-term goal.
“I hope to return to ShanghaiTech as a professor one day.”
For Liu, ShanghaiTech’s most distinctive characteristic is its commitment to providing undergraduate students with meaningful opportunities to participate in research from an early stage while encouraging interdisciplinary exploration.
“Professors here are not just mentors,” he said. “They are collaborators in the process of discovery.”
From a freshman with no research experience to a young scholar exploring the intersections of science, innovation, and social responsibility, Liu’s undergraduate years have been defined by curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to venture beyond established boundaries.
And for him, ShanghaiTech is where that journey began—and where he hopes, one day, to begin another chapter.