The results of the third Future Science Prize were announced on September 8thin Beijing. Professor Xiaoming Feng, along with two other scientists Dawei Ma and Qilin Zhou,received The Physical Science Prize for creative contributions to the invention of new catalysts and reactions, which have provided a new approach to the synthesis of organic molecules, especially drug molecules.
Focusing on original work in basic science research, Future Science Prize is called the “Nobel Prize of China” because the selection is based on the model of Nobel Prize, the Fields Medal and Turing Award.Fifteen prominent scholars worldwide form the panel of judges, including Nobel Prize winners, distinguished professors and experts. The Future Science Prize rewards outstanding original research that was finished in China and has global impact. It is not limited to Chinese citizens and is privately funded by 12 eminent Chinese entrepreneurs who want more public involvement in the country’s development of science. A candidate doesn’t need to apply or submit any documents. The judges select a candidate even without his/her knowledge.
In the academic circle, the first thing that comes to mind when people hear the name Xiaoming Feng is Roskamp-Feng reaction. Professor Xiaoming Feng and his team used a special N,N’-dioxide-Sc(OTF)3chiral ligands (0.05 mol %) to realize the first case of asymmetric Roskamp reaction in 2010. And Elsevier listed this reaction in its 3rd edition of Organic Synthses Based on Name Reactions in 2011. This is an organic chemical reaction named after a Chinese scientist who works in mainland China.
Perseverant with his research despite the drudgery
In retrospect, Professor Xiaoming Feng and his team travelled a rugged road at the initial phase of their research. Beginning in 1999, the research onchiral nitrogen-oxygen asymmetric catalysts continued for eight years until their hard work finally paid off in 2007. Professor Xiaoming Feng was candid about the period saying: “That egiht years was a difficult period for me because many others my age had made high-level achievements. I was still doing experiments painstakingly.” As a leader of the research team, professor Feng endured great pressure. In addition, he had to learn about and assess the pressure facing his research partners and his students in particular.
“Seeking truth from facts” is the primary principle.
“Seeking truth from facts” is what Professor Feng has mentioned the most often throughout our interview. It is also the principle that he has been upholding in life. “Chemistry is an experimental science. Its research results will be used for making products, thus having no room for falsehood. During the research, it is extremely important to seek truth from facts, and this also applies to people in their life. If you don’t produce results based on facts or your results cannot stand test or be reproduced, how can people utilize your results? If you don’t go by facts or stand any tests, how can you do any good in life?
“Teaching and educating” is the first duty.
On the occasion of the 34thTeachers’ Day, Professor Feng speaks his mind about this sacred profession. “When I stand on the podium, my first identity is a teacher, and teaching and educating is my first duty. Professor Feng indicates that a teacher must be a role model by setting up high standards as she/he teaches subjects and educate people. “There are many students around a teacher, and they all look to the teacher for guidance. Within a team, it is usually true that the kind of person a teacher is will decide on the kind of person his/her students become after graduation. It is just like the relationship between children and their parents. Therefore, it is very important for a teacher to be painstaking and honest.
“Basic Research” is the primary cause.
“Chemistry has always been a practical discipline which is central and vibrant.” When talking about scientific research, the otherwise sober and pensive professor has turned enthusiastic and talkative. “Chemistry is indispensable to the production of matters. It is safe to say that so long as there are human beings, there will be chemistry. However, there are many problems to be solved. We should not just concern ourselves with the current issues of chemistry, which means to thoroughly research things in the nature, but also think about the future of chemistry. We need to build a new nature next to the old one. As far as I am concerned, I will devote myself to this undertaking all my life.”
At present, Professor Xiaoming Feng is primarily focused on basic research. “Originality, innovation, leadership and usefulnessare the four criteria I use in valuing a research. This also applies to basic research even though the results of theoretic research cannot be put into application directly. However, the theoretic research provides foundation for industrialization research, consequently making it possible.”
“By usefulness, I mean that our research findings will be not only incorporated in textbooks on a bookshelf but also applied in producing goods on the shelf.” The research team of Professor Xiaoming Feng has met this standard in their research. Results of their basic research have been used in the research for mass production. And their chiral reagents are for sale on the market. In addition, the catalysts developed by his team has been used in research at prestigious Chinese and foreign universities such as University of Chicago, University of Tokyo and Peking University, among others.
Speaking of his next step, Professor Feng states that he will continue with his research in the field of asymmetrical synthesis. He would like to achieve the goal of “100% conversion rate with zero waste discharge”. “ Though things are going well, we still have a lot of scientific issues, especially issues with regularity, to be summed up. We need to formulate a theory by virtue of experimental science and theoretical research, and use this theory to direct the development in our research fields. Moreover, there are some applied results, for instance, screening through biological activity. I hope to produce several useful active molecules in the synthesized compound so that we can better serve the benefit of mankind.
