ZJU alumna DE Ji nurtures scientific dreams on the Tibetan Plateau

"From the day I entered Zhejiang University (ZJU), I resolved to return to my hometown and contribute to its development," said DE Ji, a ZJU alumna who is now a leading researcher and educator at Tibet University. Driven by this commitment, DE Ji has spent years bridging the gap between chemistry and botany to unlock the secrets of Tibetan medicine, while inspiring the next generation of scientists on the roof of the world.

DE Ji’s journey began at ZJU’s Department of Chemistry. During her sophomore year, with financial support from the department, she returned to Tibet for a field survey. At Tibet University, she noticed a critical shortage of professionals in instrumental analysis, which severely limited the development of Tibet's unique pharmaceutical industry. This experience defined her life's mission: to apply her chemical knowledge to the needs of her hometown.

After obtaining her master's degree in 2007, DE Ji joined the faculty of Tibet University. Recognizing the need for interdisciplinary expertise, she later pursued a PhD in botany to focus on the development of Tibetan medicinal resources. To study how Ephedra gerardiana adapts to high altitudes, she led her team to sampling sites at elevations of over 5,000 meters on Mount Qomolangma. Braving extreme cold, oxygen depletion, and intense ultraviolet radiation, they worked from dawn until late at night to collect and process specimens.

"Only by using chemical methods to clarify the active ingredients and mechanisms of Tibetan medicine can we accelerate the development of new drugs," DE Ji explained. Her team has successfully isolated and identified more than 40 compounds from "Wuwei Ganlu", a classic Tibetan formula, and compiled metabolic marker data for over 600 heat-clearing medicinal plants. These breakthroughs have filled several gaps in the basic research of Tibetan medicine. To date, DE Ji has led more than 10 national and provincial research projects, winning first and second prizes of the Tibet Autonomous Region Science and Technology Award.

As an educator, DE Ji is dedicated to nurturing local talent. She encourages her students to break academic boundaries by integrating chemistry with environmental science, pharmacy, and ecology. In addition to her university teaching, DE Ji has spent eight years conducting science outreach for middle school students in Tibet, aiming to ignite a passion for science in young minds.

"ZJU taught me not only the skills to make a living, but more importantly, the responsibility to serve my country," DE Ji said. From the plains of Hangzhou to the highlands of Lhasa, she continues to cultivate scientific dreams where they are needed most.

Adapted and translated from the article written by ZHOU Tianyu, DAN Hanyu, and ZHA Meng
Translator: JIANG Chenqi ('27, Structural Engineering)
Photo: the interviewee
Editor: JIANG Chenqi, DING Chenwei