Recently, the results of the “2024 China General Chamber of Commerce Science and Technology Progress Awards” selection were announced. The project titled Key Technology Innovations and Applications for Efficient Identification and Quality Control of Hazardous Substances in Agricultural Products, led by Xing Jiali and Yang Zhenfeng, with ZWU as the primary completion unit, has been awarded the Special Prize for Science and Technology Progress. This achievement marks the first time our university has received this prestigious special prize in this category.
The project was a collaborative effort between Zhejaing Wanli University and the Ningbo Product and Food Quality Inspection Institute (Ningbo Fiber Inspection Institute), among other partners. It addresses the outdated detection methods for major hazardous substances in the production and processing of agricultural products in China. The team developed high-throughput pretreatment and detection methods for high-risk phenolic pollutants and banned antibiotics in agricultural products, created a microfluidic chip system for detecting foodborne microbial contamination, and established rapid detection technologies for pesticide residues and heavy metals. These advancements enable efficient analysis of trace hazardous substances in agricultural products, transforming China from a major agricultural product producer to a leader in safe agricultural product processing, ensuring “safety on the tip of the tongue” for the public, and significantly enhancing China’s international standing in the detection of key hazardous substances in agricultural products.
This award not only recognizes the years of dedicated research by Professors Yang Zhenfeng and Xing Jiali but also signifies a breakthrough in our researchers’ contributions to national and local economic and social development. It serves as an inspiring example for researchers to boldly explore and strive for excellence in technological innovation. Dr. Xing Jiali, an external faculty member integrated into our school’s industry-education collaboration, has been serving as a master supervisor since 2018. She is a promising talent in the field of food safety, possessing a solid theoretical foundation and extensive practical experience. Dr. Xing has published over 70 papers in SCI and EI indexed journals, led or participated in the revision of nine mandatory national food safety standards, and holds 14 authorized invention patents, playing a crucial role in talent cultivation, technological advancement, and the industrial development of non-target screening technologies for typical hazardous substances in food in China.
Looking ahead, ZWU will continue to strengthen cooperation between academic institutions and research institutes, as well as between schools and enterprises. We aim to continuously stimulate the innovation and creativity of scientific and technological talents, enhance independent innovation capabilities, promote the deep integration of innovation chains, industrial chains, financial chains, and talent chains, and focus on the transformation and application of research results to drive new achievements in scientific and technological cooperation.
The China General Chamber Commerce Science and Technology Awards is initiated by the China General Chamber of Commerce and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Science and Technology Award Office. It primarily recognizes individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to promoting scientific and technological progress. In 2024, there are four sub-awards: “Science and Technology Achievement Award”, “Technology Invention Award”, “Science and Technology Progress Award”, and “Science and Technology Innovation Figure Award”. A total of 627 awards were selected for the Science and Technology Progress Award, including 31 special prizes.