On November 17th, the winners of the 18th China Youth Science and Technology Award were announced at the World Young Scientist Summit, followed by a ceremony to honor the recipients. Professor Niu Shihui from the School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology at Beijing Forestry University was among the distinguished awardees.

Established in 1987 at the suggestion of eminent scientists such as Qian Xuesen and Zhu Guangya, the China Youth Science and Technology Award is administered jointly by the Organization Department of the Central Committee, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the China Association for Science and Technology.

This prestigious national award recognizes promising young scientists and technologists who demonstrate leadership at the cutting edge of global science. It celebrates those who have significantly contributed to the nation's economic development, social advancement, and technological innovation.

Held biennially, the China Youth Science and Technology Award honors up to 100 recipients each time. In November 2024, 99 individuals were selected as winners for the 18th China Youth Science and Technology Award.

Niu Shihui, a professor and PhD supervisor at Beijing Forestry University, is a Distinguished Professor under a major national talent program. He has been recognized as a National Leading Talent in Forestry and Grassland Science and Technology Innovation, and a Youth Top Talent under the National High-Level Talent Special Support Program. He currently serves as the Deputy Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration and the Director of the Breeding Center for Improved Forest Tree Varieties and Seedlings at the National Key Laboratory for Efficient Production of Forest Resource. He also holds positions as the Executive Council Member of the Pine Section at the Chinese Society of Forestry, Executive Editor of Forestry Research, Youth Editorial Board Member of Scientia Silvae Sinicae, and Chief Editor of Official Account "Tree Science Review (TSR)".

Niu Shihui's research centers on the regulatory mechanism in the vegetative phase change and reproductive development in conifers. He has built a foundational research platform for high-quality genetic studies on conifers, developed a suite of advanced technological systems, addressed key technical challenges in conifer trait genetic analysis, and pioneered research into juvenile and reproductive development regulation in conifers. These efforts provide critical theoretical and technical support for short-cycle rapid breeding systems for conifers. His findings have been published in prestigious international journals such as Cell, Nature Communications, Plant Physiology, New Phytologist, and Trends in Genetics.

Written by Niu Shihui
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang