Program Dates: June 18 – August 1, 2025
Locations: Chengdu, Sichuan & Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Apply on CARAT by March 3, 2025!
Overview
Are you ready to tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental health challenges while working alongside top scientists in a cross-cultural setting? The 2025 Harvard China Fund-Zhejiang University Research Assistantship Program is your chance! You will engage in groundbreaking research, gain hands-on lab experience, and immerse yourself in the academic and cultural richness of China.
This program is facilitated and funded by the Harvard China Fund and led by Professor Peng Gao at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Professor Gao’s research focuses on how environmental exposures impact health, with a particular emphasis on respiratory diseases such as asthma and lung cancer.
The program kicks off with an academic conference on Environmental Health and Multi-Omics Approaches in Chengdu, Sichuan. At this dynamic event, you’ll join global experts to explore cutting-edge research methods, network with leading scientists, and gain fresh perspectives that will inspire your research journey.
After the conference, the excitement continues at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, where you’ll engage in a six-week, full-time research assistantship. You’ll tackle projects like unraveling nitrogen cycling networks to combat pollution and enhance food security, unlocking silicon’s potential to protect crops from heavy metal toxicity, and decoding the microbiome and exposome to understand their role in human health. Each student will be matched with one professor’s project, working closely with their research teams and peer Zhejiang University students.
This program is highly selective, admitting only three students, ensuring you receive personalized mentorship and the opportunity to make a real impact. Beyond the lab, you’ll experience the energy of China’s academic hubs, the beauty of its cultural heritage, and the thrill of being part of an elite research initiative.
This is not just a summer program—it’s a launchpad for your academic and professional future. Are you ready to make your mark?
Program Structure
June 18–June 22, 2025: Academic conference on Environmental Health and Multi-Omics Approaches, hosted in Chengdu, Sichuan. Participants will help with the logistics and organization of the conference and engage in discussions, presentations, and networking with experts in the field.
June 23–August 1, 2025: Full-time research assistantship at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Participants will work closely with faculty and research teams on selected projects.
Research Topics
Participants will engage in one of the following tentative research projects, aligned with their academic background and/or interests:
1. Phytoremediation of Arsenic-Contaminated Soils
Supervisor: Prof. Lena Ma, Chair Professor of Environmental Biogeochemistry of Trace Metals
Focus: Using arsenic-hyperaccumulator plants like Pteris vittata to clean arsenic-contaminated soils, with a focus on the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying its efficient arsenic accumulation to improve environmental remediation and food safety.
2. Oral Bioavailability of Metal Contaminants in the environment
Supervisor: Prof. Lena Ma, Chair Professor of Environmental Biogeochemistry of Trace Metals
Focus: Exploring the technology and mechanisms in reducing the bioavailability of metal contaminants in soil, dust, and food using a mouse model, with applications in reducing metal exposure risks to humans.
3. Mechanisms of Nitrogen Cycling in Paddy/Upland Crop Rotations
Supervisor: Prof. Yongchao Liang, Principal Investigator
Focus: Investigating nitrogen cycling networks, greenhouse gas emissions, and microbial mechanisms in paddy/upland crop rotations to enhance fertilizer efficiency and soil sustainability.
4. Silicon-Alleviated Chromium Toxicity in Rice
Supervisor: Prof. Yongchao Liang, Principal Investigator
Focus: Examining how silicon alleviates chromium toxicity in rice, focusing on molecular and physiological mechanisms for improving crop resilience and food safety.
5. Investigating Environmental Exposures and Health
Supervisor: Prof. Chao Jiang, Principal Investigator
Focus: Analyzing the interplay between environmental exposures and human health, with research on microbial communities, metabolite analysis, and next-generation sequencing.
6. Investigating the role of bacteria in desert restoration
Supervisor: Prof. Chao Jiang, Principal Investigator
Focus: Using molecular and bioinformatic analyses, we aim to find more microbes that can facilitate the weathering process of sand particles via different molecular pathways.
The assistantship work in these projects is designed to provide students with hands-on research experience, exposure to advanced methodologies, and the opportunity to contribute to impactful environmental health solutions.
Program Benefits
Financial Support
Your participation will be fully funded, covering all essential expenses: international/domestic airfare, accommodation in Zhejiang University’s international dormitories, meals, and local transportation.
Additionally, you will receive a stipend to compensate you for the full-time research assistantship work.
Hands-On Research
Dive into advanced projects tackling critical environmental health issues.
Work closely with expert faculty, graduate students, and postdocs.
Professional Growth
Gain skills in cutting-edge techniques like next-generation sequencing and microbiome analysis.
Enhance your ability to collaborate, analyze data, and conduct impactful research.
Networking and Learning
Join an academic conference led by global experts.
Build connections with peers, faculty, and professionals in the field.
Cultural Immersion
You will participate in the Carbon Neutrality module of Zhejiang University’s Summer School, along with workshops, excursions, and activities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Explore local culture and history in Chengdu and Hangzhou through guided tours, cultural workshops, and interactive sessions.
Exclusive Opportunity
Join an elite program admitting only three students for personalized mentorship.
Make meaningful contributions to real-world environmental health solutions.
Enjoy a fully immersive international experience, blending hands-on research with cultural exploration and academic collaboration.
Eligibility
The program is open to all returning Harvard College undergraduates who:
- Are in good academic standing.
- Have a strong interest in environmental health, sustainability, or related disciplines.
- Preferably have prior coursework or experience in biology, chemistry, public health, or environmental science.
- Chinese proficiency is NOT required; participants will be supported by one or more English-speaking language partners throughout the program.
Application Materials
To apply for the 2025 Harvard China Fund-Zhejiang University Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, submit your application through CARAT by March 3, 2025.
Your application package must include:
- Statement of Interest: 500–750 words describing your academic background, research interests, and goals for the program.
- Resume or CV: Highlighting relevant experience and skills.
- Unofficial Transcript: A record of your academic performance.
Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed by the program team, including faculty and staff from Harvard and Zhejiang University.
Selected candidates may be invited for a brief Zoom interview. - Offers will be issued in late March 2025.
- The visa application process will be managed by the Harvard China Fund.