On April 15, Renmin University of China (RUC) hosted a Science Lecture Series, inviting Jiang Guibin, Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician and Academician of The World Academy of Sciences, to deliver a lecture on the topic of “New Pollutants: Environment and Health”.The event was attended by officials from Division of Science and Technology Development, the School of Chemistry and Life Resources, as well as over a hundred faculty members and students.

Lin Shangli, President of RUC, welcomed Jiang Guibin and highlighted his pioneering contributions to environmental science, toxicology, and health research. He emphasized that RUC is committed to supporting high-level technological self-reliance and innovation, guided by foresight, strategic priorities, and societal needs. In 2024, the university restructured its former Department of Chemistry and Department of Environmental Science and Engineering into the School of Chemistry and Life Resources, aiming to strengthen its distinctive strengths in emerging science and technology disciplines. Lin expressed hope for further collaboration between RUC and Academician Jiang Guibin to advance cutting-edge research, optimize academic disciplines, and enhance the quality of scientific talent cultivation, contributing to the integrated development of education, technology, and talent.

Jiang Guibin, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician, began his lecture by addressing the major technological demands of China’ s new pollutant governance, emphasizing that addressing new pollutants is essential for achieving high-quality socioeconomic development. He systematically explained the definition, types, and distinctions between new and traditional pollutants, delving into the three key characteristics of new pollutants -migration, transformation, and toxicity—and their impacts on the environment and human health. He also reviewed existing policies for managing and controlling new pollutants at the national and regional levels, analyzed future development trends, and discussed methods for monitoring new pollutants. Jiang further noted that new pollutant governance is a long-term, dynamic, and complex systemic project. He proposed integrating new pollutant research with artificial intelligence and big data technologies, advocating for science-led governance to safeguard public health.

Following the lecture, Jiang Guibin engaged in an in-depth discussion with faculty and students on topics such as building research systems for new pollutants across different industries, applying chemical theories to practical problems, cultivating students’ scientific intuition, and understanding the goals of China’ s new pollutant governance initiatives.

After the event, Wang Yabai, Director of the Division of Science and Technology Development and Vice Chairman of RUC’s Association for Science and Technology, presented Jiang with a commemorative certificate on behalf of the Association for Science and Technology of RUC.

The "Science Lecture Series," organized by the Association for Science and Technology of RUC, is dedicated to popularizing scientific knowledge and promoting the spirit of science. The series invites leading scientists from various fields, both domestically and internationally, to speak at RUC and neighboring universities, fostering the development of scientific research and education.