Growing Interest in China  

During my time studying abroad in Japan, I had the wonderful opportunity to make many international friends, and a majority of them were Chinese students. I was deeply inspired by their diligence and support, which sparked my curiosity to explore China and experience its true essence. In 2012, I traveled to China for the first time, visiting vibrant cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Later, in 2013, I had the pleasure of exploring Guangzhou. The rich culture, delicious cuisine, and friendly people left a lasting impression on me. As a native of the neighboring country Nepal, I noticed cultural and religious similarities between our nations. To my relief, language barriers were not as daunting as I had feared, as most people in major Chinese cities could communicate in English. This wonderful travel experience left me yearning for more opportunities to return.  

Looniva's travel photos from Beijing (Bird's Nest and Tian men square) visit in 2012. (Image by Dr. Looniva)

CAS-PIFI and Work Life   

In 2020, I was thrilled to receive the prestigious The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) President's International Fellowship Initiative, PIFI (CAS-PIFI) Postdoctoral fellowship, providing a great opportunity for me to grow professionally as a young researcher. I am very grateful to Professor HUANG Jiandong for welcoming me into his team. With my background in bacteriology and molecular biology, I was eager to continue my work on developing treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. During my time at Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), I had the chance to work on two projects. The first project, funded by PIFI, focused on comprehending the mechanisms of an antimicrobial peptide that inhibits bacterial biofilms. Before coming to China, I already had previous experience working with bacteria and biofilms. Thus, my familiarity with the experimental procedures made it easier to work on this project. iSynBio (Institute of Synthetic Biology) provided a proper environment for this project, with a functional P2 lab for handling pathogenic microbes. Additionally, the lab was well-equipped with the necessary instruments, making it easy for me to complete this project. The second project involved developing a bacterial vaccine against Staphylococcal infections. Working with Professor HUANG’s team was particularly beneficial as they specialize in vaccine development. This experience also helped in expanding my knowledge of immunology. I owe immense gratitude to Professor HUANG and his team of experts for their exceptional mentorship and kindness. Besides PIFI, I also received support from the SIAT Outstanding Youth Innovation Fund. The research-friendly environment at SIAT has been highly motivating, and I thank CAS-PIFI for supporting my stay and making me a part of the SIAT family.  

Prof. HUANG Jiandong and his lab members. (Image by SIAT)

Challenges and Adaptations  

Although I have found my time at SIAT to be fulfilling, I have also faced some obstacles. Language barriers have made it challenging to send samples to a company for analysis, and locating instruments at other institutes and contacting the right people have also been difficult. Fortunately, my Chinese and international friends at SIAT have been incredibly helpful in solving these problems.  At times, I need assistance in understanding important emails and filling out forms in Chinese. I use some translation software, though it is not always reliable. So, whenever I encounter these issues, I turn to my Chinese colleagues for help. They patiently listen to my problem and explain everything to me, ensuring that I do not miss out on any important information. Their patience and generosity have made it easier for me to adjust to the Chinese work environment. Additionally, the recreational activities offered by SIAT, like Chinese calligraphy (书法) and painting, and making Chinese rice cakes (饭团), have been a pleasant break from the demanding research schedule.  

Participating in Chinese calligraphy event at SIAT. (Image by SIAT)

Team of experts visiting SIAT and iSynBio colleagues. (Image by SIAT)

Embracing Global Collaboration    

My experiences working in both Japan and China have reinforced the importance of establishing fruitful contacts and collaborations with different research groups for the advancement of science. The rapid progress in technology owes much to global communication and cooperation. While adapting to new places, such as learning a new language, making local friends, and dealing with culture shock can be challenging, I have learned that embracing diverse cultures with an open heart makes the process much smoother. The experience in each country has helped me inculcate some new good qualities in me, such as “resilience” from living in Nepal, “politeness” from living in Japan, and “determination” from China. Also, as Charles Darwin once said, "In the long history of humankind, those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." So, in the years to come, I eagerly anticipate traveling to more places and engaging in domestic and international collaborations with CAS organizations.    

Team of experts visiting SIAT and iSynBio colleagues. (Image by SIAT)

Life in Shenzhen  

China has taken a huge leap in the past few years in the field of science and technology. Shenzhen stands out as a young city that has made remarkable strides in just 40 years to become one of the major contributors to China's economy. This coastal city is adorned with lush greenery throughout the year. The climate is pleasant and comfortable, making life in Shenzhen truly enjoyable.  

During my studies in Japan, I met an amiable Chinese student, studying at the same university, and got married to him with the blessing of our beloved parents. Since that time, I find myself gradually immersed in the rich Chinese culture and life. Thus, despite the language barrier, having a Chinese family has helped me adapt to life in China. As a female researcher and a mother, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family, including my husband and in-laws, which allows me to focus on my work. I cherish spending time with my two lovely daughters. The nearby Huizhou city has some nice beaches where we usually spend our family time together. Now, Shenzhen has become my cherished new home.  

Looniva's family. (Image by Dr. Looniva)

Future Directions  

My PIFI experience in SIAT has been a transformative journey, leading me to embrace the vivid Chinese culture and the joy of conducting meaningful research. As I continue to thrive professionally and personally, I am grateful for the connections formed and look forward to further collaborations, contributing to the global scientific community.  

Preparing PCR mix. (Image by SIAT)