96th Congregation (2026)

Professor Sunney Xie Xiaoliang is a world-renowned biophysical chemist whose groundbreaking inventions have revolutionised in vitro fertilisation technologies and spared thousands of families in China from the suffering of single-gene hereditary diseases. A trailblazer in biophysical chemistry, Professor Xie’s name is inextricably linked to pioneering advances in single-molecule science. In his early career at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the United States, he boldly confronted what was then deemed an “impossible” challenge – achieving single-molecule spectroscopy at room temperature. Despite the formidable obstacles in scientific exploration, Professor Xie’s exceptional intuition and perseverance enabled him to overcome technical barriers and open new frontiers. His innovation, Coherent Raman Scattering Microscopy, is a technique that allows scientists to observe molecular dynamics within living cells in real time, without labelling or staining. This breakthrough reflects a more profound philosophy – the ultimate pursuit of science is rooted in an understanding of the very essence of life.

Professor Xie’s scientific pursuits have never been limited to the realm of experimental data. He holds a deep conviction that true breakthroughs must resonate with reality and touch lives. His leadership in the development of Multiple Annealing and Looping-Based Amplification Cycles (MALBAC) technique enables uniform amplification of single-cell genomes. With this innovation, Professor Xie helped rewrite the destinies of countless families. This revolutionary method not only laid the foundation for modern single-cell genomics but also enabled tens of thousands of couples worldwide to screen for single-gene hereditary diseases before embryo implantation, preventing the transmission of these diseases to newborns. Far more than a technical triumph, it represents a profound integration of science and humanity. Mencius said: “A gentleman is attached to his parents and is benevolent towards the people; he is benevolent towards the people and is sparing with living creatures.” Professor Xie’s research begins with compassion for the lives of individuals, extending the warmth of science from the family to the world. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, he applied high-throughput single-cell sequencing technology to accelerate antibody screening, making critical contributions to the international effort to fight the virus. Throughout his career, he has responded to the world’s needs with original research.

Professor Xie’s extraordinary achievements have earned him profound respect across the global scientific community. He has been elected to three prestigious academies in the US: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences – an honour rarely attained by a Chinese scholar. Other honours he has received include the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award from the US Department of Energy, as well as the Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research. In 2023, he was elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and received the Zhongguancun Award for Outstanding Contributions. In 2024, he was honoured with the inaugural Tengchong Science Award. These honours not only affirm his individual brilliance but also reflect his unfaltering dedication to original scientific inquiry.

Professor Xie is widely recognised not only for his remarkable achievements at top international institutions but also for his decision in 2018 to return to China and assume a full-time position at Peking University. Born and raised in Beijing, Professor Xie spent three decades studying and researching in the US, where he rose to become a tenured professor at Harvard University, enjoying global academic prestige and access to abundant research resources. Yet he chose to return to his homeland and continue his pursuit of original scientific research with single-minded determination. He once said, “After returning to China to work full-time, I want to create something new for the nation.” This simple statement carries profound weight. His return is not merely a personal choice but a mission to foster a culture of innovation and originality in the motherland. In 2020, Professor Xie was appointed Director of Changping Laboratory, steering a pioneering model of scientific institution designed to serve the nation’s needs. He inspires young scholars to approach science with profound patience and the courage to conquer challenges. His philosophy is rooted in the Confucian ideal that “a benevolent gentleman establishes others in seeking to establish himself and promotes others in seeking to get there himself”. Rejecting hollow fame and staying grounded, his values embody the most admirable qualities in contemporary scientific research.

Professor Xie also brings insights into the broader scientific research ecosystem. He has candidly observed that the gap between China and the US no longer lies in equipment or funding, but in the academic environment. With unflinching honesty, he has criticised systemic issues, including monopolies held by vested interests, the pursuit of short-term gains, the overhyping of research results, and pervasive conflicts of interest. At Changping Laboratory, Professor Xie champions reform. He strategically channels resources toward promising young scholars and empowering them to shoulder key responsibilities. In doing so, he is not merely an institutional leader but also a guardian of academic values. Professor Xie believes that only a healthy research ecosystem can foster genuine originality. His vision beyond personal achievements and dedication to institutional reform reflect the qualities of a true scientific leader.

Professor Xie’s education philosophy has become the cornerstone for a new generation of researchers. Having served as Director of the Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center and Head of the Faculty of Sciences at Peking University, he is now Director of Changping Laboratory, where he devotes his efforts to building an open, collaborative platform for cutting-edge research. Over the years, he has mentored numerous students, many of whom now hold prominent positions at more than 40 leading universities around the world. Professor Xie once recalled, as a child, participating in Professor Wang Xuan’s pioneer laser typesetting project in Chinese, manually inputting character moulds. Years later, witnessing the system in operation, he felt that his pride in taking part in this transformative innovation continued to motivate him. He now selflessly shares this sense of participation and mission with every student he teaches.

Professor Xie’s scientific journey began with pure childhood curiosity. During turbulent times, his father returned from Jiangxi and crafted a simple spinning top for him. That modest toy ignited a lifelong passion for hands-on creation. With his father’s toolbox, Professor Xie began building a steelyard balance, then progressed to model airplanes, loudspeakers, and even remote-control devices. The joy of making things with his own hands became the starting point of his scientific exploration. He always believes that true innovation stems from a deep passion for solving problems, not from the pursuit of accolades. As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. Every scientific breakthrough begins with a small spark. Only by staying true to one’s original purpose, holding firm to one’s beliefs, and persevering through challenges can one set out on the path to success.

Professor Xie’s remarkable ability to translate cutting-edge science into meaningful real-world applications resonates deeply with The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s guiding vision of “excellence with purpose and responsibility”. Through his decades-long dedication to research, Professor Xie has shown us that the highest realm of science lies not in technical complexity, but in compassion for humanity. The greatest achievement of a scholar is not the accumulation of accolades, but the relentless pursuit of truth and the nurturing of future generations. He is a model of an intellectual, a beacon of our times.

In recognition of Professor Sunney Xie Xiaoliang’s extraordinary contributions to scientific research and his enduring influence on academia, I respectfully request that the Chairman confer upon Professor Sunney Xie Xiaoliang the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.