Associate Vice President, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo
Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
Member of The Academy of Europe (Academia Europaea, MAE)
Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society (FCCS)
Professor Zongwei Cai's major research interests include the method development and applications of chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for trace analysis of pollutants in environment, food, and biological matrices, with a focus on metabolomics, proteomics and mass spectrometry imaging research related to human health and diseases.
"Talent is like a stream. Only when countless streams merge can they form rivers that eventually flow into the vast ocean."
As one of the first-generation college students after China's reform and opening-up, Professor Cai deeply understands the significance of talent. He was admitted to Xiamen University in 1978 and later earned a PhD from the University of Marburg, specializing in environmental pollutant research. Over the years, Professor Cai accumulated extensive research experience across academia and industry in the United States. However, he never forgot the dedication of previous generations of scientists who remained committed to China. Inspired by their patriotism, he returned to China and led a research team dedicated to addressing national and societal needs in environmental pollution and health, making significant contributions to the country's environmental development. In 2024, he joined EIT as Associate Vice President and Dean of the College of Science.
Talent drives technological advancement. Professor Cai is delighted by EIT's strong support for young Principal Investigators, including generous start-up funding, efficient administrative services, and well-structured team-building mechanisms, ensuring they can focus entirely on research. He hopes these young scientists will not only possess solid academic foundations but also embrace a spirit of openness and collaboration. Professor Cai encourages them to explore the boundaries of knowledge, deepen their expertise, address pressing national and societal challenges, and respond to the critical questions of our time. While maintaining academic individuality and developing their own research frameworks, Professor Cai urges young scholars to transcend disciplinary boundaries, explore interdisciplinary opportunities, and align with emerging technological trends, making their work more relevant to the evolving scientific landscape. In today’s rapidly changing world, Professor Cai emphasizes that young scholars need to cultivate both patience and a transformative mindset, challenge conventional frameworks, embrace innovation, and approach global scientific competition with a broader perspective. The international environment at EIT serves as a vital catalyst for their growth, providing them with opportunities to collaborate with world-leading scientists and engage with cutting-edge global research.
Professor Cai has high expectations for this young university. He is thrilled to see a group of exceptionally talented young scholars dedicating themselves to their work here, driven by ambition and a shared commitment to advancing their fields. Beyond that, he deeply appreciates that he is not only pushing the frontiers of science but also working alongside like-minded colleagues to build a distinctive, top-notch institution. "Witnessing EIT's growth brings me immense joy and excitement," he says.Professor Cai believes that groundbreaking academic achievements rely on the accumulation of top talent. With its openness and inclusivity, EIT is steadily attracting outstanding scholars from around the world to contribute to its bright future as a pioneering research university.
