Editor’s Note:

As we mark International Women’s Day, we take a moment to celebrate the achievements of women who are shaping the future of science and technology. At Tsinghua University, female scholars are making significant contributions across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Today, we turn our spotlight to five of these scientists, who are driving progress in fields ranging from environmental protection and public health to energy security, while serving as powerful role models for the next generation of researchers and engineers.

Prof. Qian Yi

One such role model is Qian Yi, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a pioneer of China’s modern water pollution control system, who has played a foundational role in shaping national environmental strategies. While she helped shift environmental protection in China from end-of-pipe treatment to source prevention through advances in wastewater treatment, cleaner production, and circular economy practices, she has devoted primarily to championing education for sustainable development. As one of the earliest advocates of this concept in Chinese higher education, she promoted the vision of building a “Green University” and led the creation of pioneering national courses on environmental protection and sustainable development, emphasizing environmental ethics, intergenerational responsibility, and the integration of ecological thinking across all disciplines. Through it all, as an educator and mentor, she has trained generations of environmental engineers, extending her influence far beyond her own research.

Prof. Ma Yuchun

Another person is Ma Yuchun, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Technology and the vice dean of Zhili College, who works at the intersection of algorithm design and integrated circuit automation. Her research focuses on chip floor planning, three-dimensional integrated circuit design, and optimization of performance, power consumption, and timing. By combining rigorous algorithmic theory with practical engineering applications, Ma contributes to advancing next-generation microprocessor and chip technologies.

Assoc. Prof. Yeliguma

In engineering fields, women at Tsinghua are also making important advances. Yeli Guma, a research associate professor specializing in nuclear energy materials, focuses on the service behavior of nuclear materials. Her research areas include irradiation effects and corrosion behavior of nuclear fuels and structural materials, as well as advanced characterization techniques for these materials. Her work contributes to nuclear safety and the development of advanced energy technologies, highlighting women’s essential role in high-level engineering and energy innovation.

Assoc. Researcher Wang Hong

Wang Hong, associate researcher at the School of Vehicle and Mobility, specializes in the safety and decision-making systems of intelligent connected vehicles. Her research addresses autonomous driving safety planning, Safety of the Intended Functionality (SOTIF), ethical decision-making frameworks, and safety testing and evaluation methods. By integrating engineering precision with ethical reasoning, Wang Hong advances the development of autonomous vehicles that are not only intelligent but also safe, responsible, and trustworthy.

Assoc. Prof. Li Kun

Also, there is a female scientist who revealed how sex differences in brain circuits shape social cognition, emotional behavior, and vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. Li Kun, Associate Professor at the School of Life Sciences, studies the neural mechanisms underlying sex differences in social cognition and emotional behavior. Her research integrates cutting-edge techniques, including calcium imaging, electrophysiology, neural computation, RNA sequencing, and genetic manipulation. By examining how molecular, cellular, and circuit-level processes interact, her work seeks to understand how brain states shape behavior and why certain psychiatric disorders show sex-specific differences. Published in leading international journals like Cell, her research advances fundamental knowledge in neuroscience and mental health.

In fact, at Tsinghua and beyond, there are many more outstanding women scientists dedicating their expertise to advancing knowledge and serving society. Across disciplines and across the globe, women are breaking boundaries, leading innovation, and shaping the future. Tsinghua STEM wonder women are at the forefront, turning ideas into impact and writing history, and building tomorrow. 

Happy International Women’s Day!

Special | Tsinghua wonder women in STEM

Writers: Amy Hong Jihae, Nomin-Erdene Batmunkh

Editors: Fang Si, Gillian Tang

Designer: Amy Hong Jihae

Reviewers: Fang Si, Gillian Tang