Recently, the Ministry of Education of China (MOE) released its decision on awarding excellent scientific research outcomes of scholars from higher education institutes in China in 2020. Professor Fu Dongjing from Northwest University’s Department of Geology is one of the only eight winners of the title “Excellent Young Scientist” this year.
Each year, the title is given to at most 10 young scientists nationwide in recognition of their excellence in original research contributions and the ability to reach or maintain the world-leading edge in their fields. It is the first time for Northwest University and the third time for Shaanxi Province to win this honour.
Professor Fu Dongjing has been recognised for her outstanding research contributions to revealing the mystery of origin and evolution of arthropods. Diverse and ubiquitous ever since the Cambrian Period, arthropods form most of animal species today on earth. But how they have been successfully evolved has been a conundrum puzzling generation of scientists. Professor Fu’s research answers major questions of early arthropods’ evolution, providing important insights into this field.
