XIEG Holds 43rd Salon for Scientific Exchange

On June 20, the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences held the 43rd "Salon for Scientific Exchange" (SSE). The event underscored the  importance of international partnerships and provided an opportunity for participants to learn innovative models of international laboratories. The salon drew over 30 researchers and students from both China and abroad.

The SSE featured presentations from Kazakhstani scientists: Dr. Zhunussova Gulnur, Director of the Institute of Genetics and Physiology (IGPh) under the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Dr. Issenova Gulmira, Head of a Testing Center of the Kazakhstan Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan. Prof. Liu Zongrang from XIEG joined as a special guest, adding his insights to the discussions.

Dr. Gulnur delivered a presentation titled "Lab Partnership for Science Innovation", highlighting the goal of establishing a joint laboratory with XIEG within the framework of the China-Kazakhstan Partnership Institute Exchange Program to . She provided updates on IGPh's recent research on Central Asian genetics, regional disease, and conservation genetics. Speaking on expanding cooperation in biodiversity conservation, Dr. Gulnur stated, "Establishing a joint laboratory platform will allow us to effectively conduct cross-regional research. Leveraging such a platform will enable us to share technical methods, scientific data, and personnel capacity building."

Dr. Gulmira followed with a compelling example of cross-border collaboration: the conservation of wild apple trees in Xinjiang. She illustrated how international cooperation platforms, such as joint projects, can be utilized to address the challenges facing wild apple species, including population decline and disease resistance, ultimately seeking regional solutions that benefit both countries.

During the discussions, Prof. LIU Zongrang drawing on his own experience, emphasized the value of international collaborative research. "Joint laboratories serve as excellent platforms for international cooperation, particularly in providing new pathways and platforms for young scientists to conduct joint scientific research," he noted. Participants also exchanged views on joint laboratory mechanisms, data sharing and other related topics. 

Dr. Zhunussova Gulnur got her PhD in Biotechnology from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2015 and became the General Director of the Institute of Genetics and Physiology (IGPh) under the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan since 2022 with over 20 high-impact publications, including peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals such as Scientific Reports and ES Food & Agroforestry.

Dr. Issenova Gulmira, is the Head of the Testing Center of Phytosanitary Laboratory Analysis of the "Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine" of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, PhD in Biology. She and her lab did a lot research in Malus sieversii.

Zhunussova Gulnur gives her presentation. (Image by XIEG)

Issenova Gulmira gives her presentation. (Image by XIEG)

Prof. LIU Zongrang shares his views. (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn