Award-winning Chinese mathematician Sun Xin returns from US to work at Peking University
- Sun, who specialises in probability theory and mathematical physics, was a joint winner of the prestigious Rollo Davidson Prize this year
- In 2021, at least 1,400 US-based ethnic Chinese scientists reportedly switched their affiliation from American to Chinese institutions
An award-winning Chinese mathematician will return to Peking University from the United States this autumn, according to the top Chinese university. Sun Xin, now an assistant professor in mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania, will take up a new appointment at the Beijing International Centre for Mathematical Research at his alma mater, Peking University, although the university did not specify Sun’s new role.
When contacted by the South China Morning Post, Sun said he “would be happy to share thoughts on my new appointment after the position starts in the [autumn]”. Sun graduated from the school of mathematical sciences at Peking University in 2011 and received his PhD in mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2017. He specialises in research on probability theory and mathematical physics.
He was awarded the Rollo Davidson Prize this year jointly with Nina Holden, an associate professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. The prize, which has been awarded annually to young probabilists worldwide since 1976, recognised the duo for leading work on two models for random surfaces: random planar maps and Liouville quantum gravity.
According to Peking University, five mathematicians from China have received the prestigious award, including alumnus Ding Jian who was honoured in 2017. Ding joined his alma mater as chair professor of the school of mathematical sciences in January last year after also being employed at the University of Pennsylvania as well as the University of Chicago.
The Beijing International Centre for Mathematical Research is a state-funded research institution established in 2005. It is “devoted to promoting forefront mathematical research and education, and enhancing scientific exchange and cooperation among Chinese and international mathematicians”, according to its website. At least 1,400 US-based ethnic Chinese scientists switched their affiliation in 2021 from American to Chinese institutions, according to a joint report by academics from Harvard and Princeton universities and MIT. It came after the China Initiative was launched in 2018 by the administration of former US president Donald Trump. It aimed to fight suspected Chinese theft of technical secrets and intellectual property as competition between the two countries intensified.
While the administration of US President Joe Biden formally ended the programme in 2022 amid concerns about racial bias and a culture of fear, it exacted a lingering toll on scientists of Chinese descent, according to the report. Life scientist Yan Ning, for example, made headlines in China when she gave up a permanent post at Princeton. After five years in the US, the structural biologist returned to China last year to establish and serve as dean of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation.