Xu Qi

42-year-old scientist Xu Qi has recently won the L'Oréal-UNESCO award for young Chinese women scientists. She has made significant breakthroughs in the research of depression and other brain-related diseases.

Xu Qi

Xu currently serves as researcher of the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS).
She is also a distinguished professor of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and executive deputy director of CAMS's Neurosciences Center.
"Depression is a complex disease that involves at least 500 types of gene, so it's nearly impossible to understand the cause," Xu said in an interview.
"To surmount the obstacle, I set out a more effective research strategy. I selected female patients who have a family history of depression, suffer from multiple episodes and are categorized as 'clinically severe', to be my research objects. After repeated experiments, I eventually found that the disease is closely linked to two genes in particular."

Xu Qi

When she was a girl, Xu already vowed to be a scientist.
"I dreamed of becoming a scientist when I was five. I believe the profession would be meaningful and conducive to realizing the value of my life."
Though outstanding in the medical field, Xu has never studied abroad. After obtaining her Ph.D., her mentor Shen Yan, a CAMS academician, advised her to stay put, making a contribution to China's scientific research.
She accepted and has worked to make achievements continuously.
"China can be the land that produces a great number of academic achievements as well," Xu said.

Xu Qi

Besides scientific research, Xu has a wide range of interests.
"I go to the gym for physical training three times a week and go diving twice a year," Xu said. "I also love reading. Finishing a book every week has become one of my habits."