Four XJTLU researchers in the top 2% worldwide

Four academics from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s School of Science and School of Advanced Technology have been named in Stanford/Elsevier’s list of the top 2% of researchers cited worldwide.

The list, compiled every year, looks at the number of citations from top academics and calculates the most cited researchers in various fields.

We caught up with them to find out more about their research.

Professor Elmer Villanueva, School of Science

How do you feel about being in the top 2%?
I am delighted to be part of such a distinguished group. This is hardly an individual achievement; modern science is a collective endeavour involving many participants. This is also not an achievement traceable to a single paper but the result of a lifetime of contribution to the field.

Why did you choose your research field?
I chose the field of public health quite deliberately. Years ago, I was sitting in an office in the outpatient department as a young medical doctor. After seeing my eighth or ninth tuberculosis patient for the day, I thought there had to be a more efficient way of improving health – not one patient at a time but millions.

What’s your favourite thing about your research?
In all the projects in which I’ve been involved, my favourite aspect is the readiness of people to participate in research that at times has no direct benefit to their present conditions. Instead, they participate in the chance that the knowledge gained will help future patients with similar conditions achieve better outcomes. Their heroism is quite inspiring.

What advice would you give to new or aspiring researchers?
I will pass on the advice of my research mentor: tackle the big questions in your field. Don’t research small things because you will receive small answers that help no one. Wrestle with the most important topics.

Dr Zheng Feei Ma, School of Science

How do you feel about being in the top 2%?
I am grateful to the research environment, support and encouragement given by my Health and Environmental Sciences (HES) Head of Department, as well my colleagues in HES and XJTLU.

Why did you choose your research field?
I have always been interested in nutrition and exploring the relationship between nutrient intake and human health.

What’s your favourite thing about your research?
I think it is about helping people improve their dietary choices and nutritional status to achieve and maintain good health.

What advice would you give to new or aspiring researchers?
I would tell them to keep asking the right research questions because it will lead them to design sound research projects.

Professor Johannes Knops, School of Science

How do you feel about being in the top 2%?
It’s always nice to be included in listings like this.

Why did you choose your research field?
It kind of happened by accident. I started as a horticulture major; then I switched to biology. I was initially interested in policy, but I moved into ecology.

What’s your favourite thing about your research?
Ecology is like a puzzle or a complicated chessboard – when one piece moves, the entire board setup and interactions change. I’m endlessly interested in discovering how organisms are connected and what makes them tick.

My favourite research is always what I am currently looking at, which right now is Qinghai-Tibetan alpine grassland diversity. These are the most diverse grasslands in the world, in a harsh environment with a short growing season. So my current topic is why diversity is so high here and what the consequences of that are.

What advice would you give to new or aspiring researchers?
Don’t copy; look for a new research area, and rephrase a research question, so that you have a new way of looking at things. Keep high integrity – shortcuts do not get you anywhere long term.

Dr Huiqing Wen (third from the left) and his research team

Dr Huiqing Wen, School of Advanced Technology

How do you feel about being in the top 2%?
I am very proud of being in the top 2% of researchers cited worldwide. Thanks for the tremendous support from our University.

Why did you choose your research field?
It was interest-driven since I wanted to address the energy crisis and environmental pollution issues.

What’s your favourite thing about your research?
My favourite thing is when we successfully get funding from industry or government. It indicates that my research can be sustainable and has a bright future.

What advice would you give to new or aspiring researchers?
Stick to your research area and enjoy your research activities, even though they sometimes seem tedious and stressful.

The data is publicly available here.

By Patricia Pieterse