On January 16 2017, the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China released the Proposed List for the Innovative Talent Promotion Program of 2016, in which Li Chuangchuang, Associate Professor from the Department of Chemistry of SUSTech, was included as the first middle-young age leading talent of technical innovation at SUSTech.

The Innovative Promotion Program, organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, National Nature Science Foundation of China and China Association for Science and Technology, aims to develop world-leading scientists, high-level technical talents and engineers and outstanding innovative teams and entrepreneurship talents, as a powerful support for improving the capacity of independent innovation and creating a innovative China. With focus on cutting-edge technologies and strategic emerging industries, the program has paid high attention to the development of 3,000 technical innovative talents at middle-young age, to help them take the lead in the innovative development of relevant industries and sectors and completion of key technical tasks.

Upon strict assessment and comprehensive inspection, 314 talents were selected in the program in 2016. Excitedly, Li said: “It is indeed a surprise for me, which is closely related to the strong support received from SUSTech.”

 “Scientific research is just like climbing a mountain, we can only be braver!”

In Li’s office, various photos of his participation in academic conferences are put on the shelf, indicating his efforts in the academy.

Before joining SUSTech in December 2013, Li won the First Prize of Natural Science in Shenzhen and “Excellent Teacher” of Shenzhen. In July 2015, he became the first young professor to win the “Fund for Outstanding Youth” of National Natural Science Foundation of China and was granted project funds for three consecutive years at SUSTech.

Honors should be attributed to unremitting efforts. “We have never been lazy under the guidance of Mr. Li. He often worked late in the library, which inspired us a lot,” said Liu Junyang, postdoctor guided by Prof. Li. Since his time as postgraduate, he took “Saturdays as a working day”, that was 15 years ago.

 “Scientific research is just like climbing a mountain. No road is paved on it and no one reaches the top. But numerous scholars around the world keep trying constantly with difference strategies and facing various difficulties. What we can do is to be braver and never stop.” Li’s words on scientific research.

 For now, Li Chuangchuang has climbed over massive mountains and experienced many moments of success and joy. But he still focuses on his “Everest” – to find new drugs.

 “We are now at a good time for research.”

In December 2016, Li Chuangchuang participated in the public applications of leading talents of technical innovation in Beijing with Outstanding Youth. He was very anxious to receive their reply.

Over the years, Li’s Research Group has been devoted to the research on the total synthesis of complicated and active nature products, an area with many difficulties and a long period as an exact science integrated with science and arts at the molecule level and a major standard to measure the comprehensive strength of a country. As an effective way to provide active natural products and other function materials, total synthesis plays a significant role in promoting the pharmacy, biology, medicine, materials science and relevant subjects. For the past three decades, natural products are the best source for innovative drugs. As medicines, natural products like paclitaxel and artemisinin have saved innumerable lives.

However, the content of natural products with biological activity is very low and hard to be separated, making it difficult to satisfy demand. Therefore, chemical synthesis has become an important method to obtain or modify natural products. Focusing on the synthesis of natural products with biological activity and oriented by drug development, Li’s research group took full advantage of modern organic synthesis strategies and technologies to synthesize and modify the natural product library in a rapid, efficient and diversified manner, so as to find new pharmic molecules or lead compounds.

So far, Li’s research group has accomplished over 40 total syntheses of natural products with essential biological activity and high difficulty, and developed the original methodology applied to achieve the total synthesis of natural products with the same family and skeleton. 

For this honor, Li said: “Winning a Nobel Prize for the discovery of artemisinin is a pride for our Chinese people. China pays great attention to the total synthesis of natural products, and now is a good time for research.”

 “I’m grateful for SUSTech’s commitment to academic freedom”

Greatly attached to his group, Li put a group photo of the members on his computer desktop. Meanwhile, the students of library also had a high compliment on Prof. Li. “Pr. Li is a professor who is willing to help us look into documents.” Liu Xin, doctor student, said with a smile. To obtain the latest progress of research, Li required all the students to compile a summary each week. Less than two days after handing them in, students will receive the latest research documents issued by Li, as a support for the researches in the future.

 “Chemical research features high pressure and long cycle. But it is very kind of Mr. Li who never forces us in the research. ”said Zhao Xiong, a postdoctor. Besides the fame of Li Chuangchuang, free and harmonious atmosphere are another key attraction for postdoctors to join Li’s research group.

Academic freedom is the source for their success and a space given to research scholars by SUSTech. According to Li, SUSTech provides unlimited possibilities as opportunities and challenges exist there. But its containment of academic freedom is more important for us.

Since his arrival, SUSTech gave lots of financial and manpower support, such as the postdoctors assigned to him and two assistant researchers to each group. In addition, Li is also delighted of the undergraduates’ capability in scientific research. Some of them are as competent as postgraduates.

Academic freedom brings about frequent brainstorms and impressive results. 4 postdoctors were awarded the “Fund for Outstanding Youth” by National Natural Science Foundation of China, indicating a national recognition to his group on the total synthesis of natural products.

 “I am very proud of my choice to join SUSTech. It is of great significance for me to become an early member of the school foundation,” Li said, “Start here, Make a difference!” In the future, he will continue climbing the mountain of scientific research and create more wonders with SUSTech.