ShanghaiTech held its 2025 Summer Lab for International Students from June 25 to August 20. Six outstanding undergraduates from the University of Oxford (Oxford), the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) completed an eight-week, in-depth research internship and received their certificates.
Shailen Patel from Oxford joined the lab of Yuu Kimata at the School of Life Science and Technology (SLST) to investigate the development of the Drosophila visual system. Sarah Wu from UPenn worked with Christopher Antos at SLST, exploring which chromatin regulatory factors that are downstream of Kcnk5b are sufficient to promote proportional growth of developing and regeneration structures. Tamara Sorokina, Mariia Treshcheva, Elizaveta Menshchikova, and Anastasiia Ivanova from MIPT conducted research in areas like cryo-electron microscopy and GPCR-related computational methods under the guidance of professors and researchers at the iHuman Institute including Xu Fei, Zhao Suwen, Shan Yibing, and Wu Lijie.
Throughout the program, ShanghaiTech mentors designed detailed research plans for the international students and arranged one-on-one experimental guidance from lab members. Each participant submitted a comprehensive lab report and delivered a presentation as the conclusion of summer program, earning high praise from mentors and peers.
The international students noted that the regular communication and professional guidance from their mentors, combined with the warmth and friendliness of their labmates, made their two-month experience incredibly rewarding. “My mentor and lab mates are patient and meticulous. This community is really nice!” said Tamara Sorokina. Kimata, who has supervised summer international students for the second consecutive year, emphasized, “This program not only broadens the horizons of international students but also gives our own students invaluable opportunities to build a global network. This mutually beneficial model has long-term value.”
Beyond research, the international students joined their Chinese peers in cultural activities organized by the Office of International Affairs (OIA), including visits to Xinchang Ancient Town, the Shanghai Museum, and the Lujiazui Financial Area. These experiences immersed them in the fusion of Jiangnan traditional culture and China’s modern urban landscape, showcasing the unique charm of Shanghai. Coffee gatherings were also held by OIA, allowing students to share their experiences, suggestions, and feedback.
“This summer program was perfect—I learned a lot. I just wish it could have lasted longer!” said Patel. Treshcheva, a sports enthusiast, added, “ShanghaiTech has fantastic facilities—I absolutely love the gym!”
Since 2015, ShanghaiTech University has continuously offered summer research opportunities to international undergraduates from partner universities overseas. The six-to-eight-week program covers cutting-edge research fields such as life sciences, information technology, and materials science. Additionally, the university organizes a variety of cultural activities to help international students deepen their understanding of Shanghai and China. To date, more than 40 students from leading institutions, including Yale University, Cornell University, University of Chicago, University of California, Berkeley, Oxford, and UPenn, have taken part in this program.