You are welcome to attend the seminar, please find the details below:

Date: Aug 5, 2025 (Tue)
Time: 3:00-5:00pm
Mode: Webinar
Enquires:Tel: 81000538；Email: scmevent@hku.hk
Registration: Please click here

Speaker:
Professor Xingen Lei
Professor of Molecular Nutrition, Animal Science, Nutritional Sciences
Associate Dean, Office of Research and Innovation, Cornell University
Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Nutrition

Moderator:
Professor Jiangang Shen
Professor, School of Chinese Medicine, HKU

Abstract:

In academia, developing effective grant proposals and securing external funding are an essential task for scientists at all levels. The process is challenging but rewarding. In response to a particular request for proposals, the Principal Investigator (PI) or Program Director (PD) should first study the call carefully and understand the mission, scope, and requirement of the program. After studying the program description and assessing his or her own expertise match or closeness to the program, the potential PI or PD identifies a significant research question and conceives a technical map for preparing a proposal. The proposal should clearly explain what the PI or PD plans to study, why the study is needed, and how the study will be pursued. The research question must be real and significant, instead of self-perceived or artificial. The experimental approach should include new or novel models and tools, but feasible with alternatives. Literature review must be comprehensive and accurate, and key references are included. Qualifications of the research team and adequacy of the research facility should be provided. A series of conceptual, technical, and format errors should be avoided.

About the Speaker:

Professor Xingen Lei is a Professor of Molecular Nutrition at Cornell University. He has developed a new generation of bacterial phytases that are used by the feed industry in 50 countries. Professor Lei pioneered nutritional genomics of selenium and revealed dual roles of selenium in oxidative stress and diabetes. He is an international leader in applying agriculture to prevent “hidden hunger”. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Nutrition, President of Trace Elements and Minerals Association, and Associate Dean of Research and Innovation in College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Cornell University. He was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2021.