From left to right: Academician Qin Ouyang, Qihuang Gong, Shiyi Chen, Daining Fang and Heping Cheng, all from Peking University

A group of 62 elite Chinese and foreign scientists, including five from Peking University, were formally inducted as members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) at a ceremony on Dec. 20 in Beijing. Professor Shiyi Chen and Professor Daining Fang of the College of Engineering (COE) were elected member of CAS. In addition, COE alumni Professor Heping Cheng and Professor Lixin Wu also received the honor.

The title of academician is the highest academic honor in the field of science and technology in China. Its selection is based on academic achievements and scientific contributions. CAS holds membership elections biennially, with a limit of 60 new domestic members for each cycle. The newly elected CAS academicians comprise 53 Chinese citizens and nine foreign scientists from six countries, expanding the academy’s membership to 750 Chinese and 72 foreign members.

Professor Shiyi Chen, currently a professor in the Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, is the Founding Dean of the College of Engineering and Vice President of Peking University. His research contributions include the invention and development of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for computational fluid dynamics. Professor Chen has also made numerous contributions to fluid turbulence using direct numerical simulations and large eddy simulations with parallel-processing computer technology. He was elected to the mathematics and physics division of CAS.

Professor Daining Fang, also from the Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, is Associate Dean of the College of Engineering. His research interests are in mechanics of electromagnetic materials and microelectronics devices; mechanics of advanced materials and lightweight lattice composite materials, and micromechanics and physics-based continuum models across length scales. He was elected to the technological sciences division of CAS.

Professor Heping Cheng, currently a Professor in the Laboratory of Calcium Signaling and Mitochondrial Biomedicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University, received degrees in applied mathematics and mechanics, physiology, and biomedical engineering from Peking University. His current research focuses on the mechanism, regulation, and biology of mitochondrial “superoxide flashes”. He was elected to the life sciences and medical sciences division of CAS.

Professor Lixin Wu, currently a Professor in Physical Oceanography Laboratory, Ocean University of China, received his master’s and Ph.D. degree from the Department of Mechanics of Peking University in 1991 and 1994, respectively. His research focuses on the basic theory of ocean circulation, sea - atmosphere interaction and interannual variability, numerical simulation of ocean circulation and climate system. He was elected to the earth sciences division of CAS.