
A speaker delivers a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 4th China Mycology Frontier Forum for Young Scientists at HZAU. [Photo/new.hzau.edu.cn]
The 4th China Mycology Frontier Forum for Young Scientists took place at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) from April 10 to 12, gathering over 100 experts, scholars, and industry representatives from across China.
The event was jointly hosted by the Mycological Society of China (MSC) and the National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, with support from various academic institutions and industry partners.
At the opening ceremony, HZAU vice-president Zhang Yongjun highlighted the university's long-standing contributions to mycological research. He traced its history from Professor Yang Xinmei, a pioneer in edible mushroom cultivation, to today's leading scholars, noting the impact of successive generations of researchers in advancing science and industry. Zhang encouraged young scientists to align their work with national priorities, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, and focus on fundamental research.
Guo Liangdong, chairman of MSC, highlighted the organization's commitment to nurturing young talent and commended HZAU for its four decades of contributions to the field. He encouraged participants to pursue impactful research and actively contribute to building China's scientific self-reliance.
The forum included four keynote speeches, 17 invited reports, and sessions on research funding and academic publishing. A notable moment was the academician's speech by Zhang Keqin from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who engaged in in-depth discussions with young scholars.
Zhang noted that mycology is at a pivotal stage of paradigmatic transformation. He called for the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to drive innovation and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry.