Swissnex in China Fellows
The Swissnex in China Fellows are aspiring, up-and-coming individuals in China, who seek to grow their engagement with Switzerland.
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We interviewed Swissnex Fellows Dr. Wuwei Ren and Alan Ze Xiong, who are experts in HealthTech, to ask them about their work and their opinions on the future of HealthTech and collaborations between China and Switzerland. The Swissnex in China Fellows play a significant role in our local network, actively contributing to our discussions, and have extensive knowledge in one of our current focus areas.
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Tell us about your journey from earning your PhD at ETH Zurich to becoming an Assistant Professor at ShanghaiTech University
Wuwei Ren
After completing my PhD at ETH Zurich, I joined University Hospital Zurich as a research fellow, where I led a start-up project focused on developing a portable optical imaging device for preclinical studies. This project was funded by the BRIDGE fellowship, a joint initiative by the Swiss National Science Foundation and Innosuisse, designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry and promote technology transfer. Over the course of approximately two years, the fellowship allowed me to build upon my PhD research and contemplate my future career path. In 2019, I received an offer for an assistant professorship at ShanghaiTech University, a prestigious and emerging institution, where I embarked on my academic career.
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As the Director of the Wireless and Smart Bioelectronics Lab at ShanghaiTech University, could you describe some of the key projects and research areas that your laboratory is currently working on?
Ze Xiong
One of my current projects aims to pioneer wearable bioelectronics tailored for wound management. These bioelectronic systems will capture both basic physiological parameters and intricate biochemical signals directly from the wound site. Upon detecting abnormal signals, the integrated drug delivery unit will administer targeted treatment as necessary, offering proactive management beneficial for vulnerable patient groups such as those with compromised immune function, diabetes, the elderly, and children.
As a healthtech innovator, could you share with us the latest trends in your research areas? Do you see any specific areas where there is great potential for collaboration between Swiss and Chinese researchers and institutions?
Wuwei Ren: In China, biomedical engineering (BME) was not a popular choice for many high school students entering colleges and universities a decade ago. However, BME is now gaining increasing popularity among high school students and their parents when selecting a major. A significant reason for this shift is the current surge in healthcare innovation in China, evidenced by the rise of Chinese Medtech companies such as United Imaging, Mindray, and Neusoft. In my research field of optical imaging, I see the latest trends for Sino-Swiss collaboration in small animal imaging for drug development and fluorescence-guided surgery.
Ze Xiong: AI-enhanced wearable bioelectronics is a promising and emerging field in the realm of digital wound management. By utilizing an AI model that leverages a comprehensive and amalgamated dataset, it becomes possible to achieve precise and in-situ diagnosis of various wound conditions. The wealth of information provided by AI-enhanced wearable bioelectronics has the potential to truly revolutionize our understanding of how diseases develop and progress, potentially ushering in a new era of wound management.
Switzerland has placed considerable emphasis on interdisciplinary and collaborative research. An excellent example of this effort is SKINTEGRITY.CH, an initiative to address the intricate realm of wound healing and malignant skin diseases. By fostering collaborative research among investigators from both Switzerland and China, significant advancements can be made in improving patient outcomes, while also nurturing the next generation of scientists, clinicians, and engineers. This concerted effort will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of wound management practices.
How do you foresee potential collaborations with Swissnex in China in healthtech sector? What are your expectations in terms of personal and professional growth from these collaborations?
Wuwei Ren: Switzerland is highly innovative in the healthcare sector, while China offers a vast market for new medical technologies and drugs. Over the past decades, the success of this collaboration has been exemplified by large Swiss companies such as Roche and Novartis. I anticipate seeing the next generation of collaborations emerging between small and micro enterprises, as well as research labs in universities.
Ze Xiong: In the field of HealthTech innovation, Swiss renowned institutes and high-tech companies offer a plethora of innovative technologies and translational solutions. Within the realm of bioelectronics, there exist vast opportunities to collaborate with global leading research institutions, universities, and industries. With a shared vision of alleviating patient suffering, researchers and entrepreneurs from both countries can leverage their respective advantages and establish a collaborative framework to tackle key challenges in healthcare worldwide.
Can you share with us some interesting takeaways or thoughts generated from the first “Future Hospitals” event?
Ze Xiong: This event is truly invaluable as it brings together professionals with diverse perspectives. It provided me with a comprehensive understanding of research-oriented hospitals and their unique role in healthcare innovation, as exemplified by the upcoming Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center. During Prof. Christiane Pauli-Magnus’ talk, I witnessed the tremendous success and deep collaboration between Basel University Hospital and the University of Basel. This enlightening experience has inspired me and offered valuable insights for my future collaborations with clinical experts.
What do you hope to achieve through your participation in the Swissnex in China Fellows program, and how do you envision your future involvement within our fellow community?
Wuwei Ren: I lived in Zurich for years and received all my PhD and Postdoctoral training in Switzerland. I want to deepen the connection with Swiss universities and stay in touch with many ETH alumni in Shanghai.
Ze Xiong: I am particularly drawn to the mission of Swissnex and its commitment to connecting Switzerland with the global innovation ecosystem. I admire Swissnex’s role in promoting knowledge exchange, facilitating cross-cultural understanding, and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government. I would be honored to contribute to this mission by leveraging my skills and experiences to support Swissnex’s initiatives and build dynamic and meaningful connections within the fellow community.