Current location:style >>
Niu Shuli Explores Nature with Love and Passion
style2People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Niu Shuli Explores Nature with Love and Passion
April 11, 2022
Niu Shuli, researcher with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and a winner of the 15th For Women in Science (FWIS) Award (in China).
Choosing a Way She Likes
Based on the results of analyses of fossils, the earth is very sensitive to temperature change. Climate change can significantly affect and alter the ecosystem, including vegetation. What will happen to humans if the ecosystem suffers serious deterioration? That is one of the questions Niu is trying to answer. How? By exploring the complicated relationship between climate change and the world's ecosystems on land.
Niu used to conduct field experiments in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. She recalls her experience in conducting photosynthetic tests: "Plants can adapt to high temperature or extreme cold. Human beings have experienced the highest level of evolution, so why do we refuse to endure the hardships during field experiments? I always think field research makes me excited."
Years of participation in field experiments has improved Niu's physical condition because she often carried heavy test devices and walked long hours in the wild. More importantly, those work experiences have strengthened her will and desire to conduct scientific research.
Niu has chosen to focus her research on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Why? Simply put, because many researchers have referred to the plateau as "a natural laboratory."
Niu explains, "The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is an area sensitive to climate change. In fact, compared with other places on our earth, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is influenced faster by climate change. The evolution of the ecological environment on this plateau represents typical feedback to the changes of the ecosystem on land caused by climate change."
It is for this reason that Niu and her team have established a research site in Ruo'ergai (a region on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau) to help scientists obtain firsthand research results from nature.
More Than Scientific Research Results
Ruo'ergai, near the northeastern border of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is located in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. In Ruo'ergai, plants normally grow vigorously between early May and the beginning of October. As such, those months are the best period for conducting scientific research in the region. Niu's team usually lives in Ruo'ergai between May and October.
Most of the members of Niu's team are young Ph.D. students who are curious and passionate about scientific research and who persist in working hard to fulfill their innovative ideas.
According to the record of research progress published on IGSNRR's website, Niu's team's research findings were published in Science Advances on August 22, 2019. The water-scaling pattern revealed in the team's study provides compelling evidence that water regulates ecosystem feedback to climate warming.
"Scientific research inspires our curiosity, and it inspires us in a way unlike any other job. The reason why my team has achieved so much in our research is because we have a strong will to explore various secrets hidden in nature, and because we care about the ecosystem problems mankind has to cope with," Niu says.
Diligence Key to Opening Gate of Sciences
As a recipient, Niu delivered a speech during the 15th FWIS Awards (in China) Ceremony held in April 2019. "Diligence is the key to opening the gate of sciences, not gender. I don't think women and men have a gap regarding what they do in scientific research. Ecological research, in a wild environment, can be challenging for women. But women's ability to endure and persist can be better than that of men in a wild environment," she said. Niu also mentioned the efforts, by all segments of society in recent years, to improve women scientists' life and work environments.
Niu sets a good example for her daughter, by showing her the importance of grasping every opportunity to learn . When Niu accompanies her daughter to a museum, and, in particular, when she sees the introductions to plants, Niu takes the time to read the introductions carefully.
Niu is also a model for the members of her research team, especially for the women Ph.D. students. When the 15th FWIS Awards (in China) Ceremony was held, in Beijing, the women students of her research team attended the ceremony with Niu. The students dressed elegantly for the ceremony, but quickly changed into their research clothes after the event. Working in the wild for months at a time has left the women's skin dry and rough. However, Niu and her team are undaunted, as they want to make a significant contribution for mankind.
How should a person spend his/her life, especially given the limited period of time he/ she has on earth? For Niu and the members of her research team, the answer is simple: Continue exploring nature, with love and passion.
Photos Supplied by Niu Shuli
(Women of China English Monthly February 2022 issue)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Iterations news portal”。http://www.videocameralive.com/news-01a399933.html
Related articles
Trump and DeSantis make peace, talk fundraising for election 2024
styleNEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump met privately with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the ...
【style】
Read moreKhloe Kardashian's 21
styleKhloe Kardashian took to her Instagram story to show off her son Tatum's newest closet addition on ...
【style】
Read moreVictoria Beckham explains how she perfects her signature smoky eye and a sun
styleVictoria Beckham explained how she gets her full smokey eye and a sun-kissed makeup look as she got ...
【style】
Read more
Popular articles
- Sue Bird says joining ownership group of the Seattle Storm felt inevitable
- Married at First Sight's love guru reveals the biggest faux pas people make on a first date
- A strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes Indonesia's Java Island, felt in Jakarta
- Haliburton breaks tie with 3
- Travis Kelce names Taylor Swift his 'significant other' at the Mahomes' charity gala in Las Vegas
- Christine Quinn claims estranged husband Christian Richard put quarter
Latest articles
China's archaeological site parks register strong revenue growth
South Africa will mark 30 years of freedom amid inequality, poverty and a tense election ahead
Nadal gets even with De Minaur at Madrid Open. Top seeds Sinner and Swiatek advance
Health issues nag Sixers, Clippers and Bucks as they try to erase 2
Analysis: The NHL playoffs are off to an odd start, from the net out
Anthony Edwards scores 36 points, Timberwolves beat Suns 126
LINKS
- Chinese embassy in U.S. hosts Discover Beijing Opera cultural event
- Steve Clifford wins final game as Charlotte coach, Hornets beat playoff
- LeBron James' triple
- Joan Deslandes: From learning Chinese to becoming global citizens
- Heat tune up for postseason by topping Raptors 118
- China to launch national survey on cultural relics
- LeBron James' triple
- Ancient tombs excavated in Guangzhou
- Kite capital advances modernization while preserving heritage
- Neil Brownsword: Exploring exchanges between China and the West through ceramics