Five prominent Chinese scientists today receive the 2015 Nature Award for Mentoring in Science at the 2015 International Forum: From Research to Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Nature hosts these annual awards to champion the importance of mentoring and inspiring a generation of young scientists.

Xuetao Cao, President of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Xing-Wang Deng, Dean of the School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences at Peking University, were jointly presented with the lifetime achievement award in Northern China and 25,000 RMB each. Hong-Yuan Chen, Director of the Institute of Analytical Science and the Institute of Chemical Biology at Nanjing University were presented with the lifetime achievement award in Southern China and 50,00RMB. Yigong Shi, Dean of the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University receives the mid-career award in Northern China and 50,000RMB prize. Hong-Bing Shu, Director of Medical Research Institute and Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies at Wuhan University received the mid-career award in Southern China and 50,000RMB prize.

Editor-in-Chief of Nature, Philip Campbell, said: "In an era when laboratories are under great pressure to be competitive, it is essential that they maintain the technical robustness and ethical integrity of their science, while also empowering creativity. Thus the mentoring of young researchers has never been more important. And good mentoring by laboratory heads is not a skill that can be taken for granted."

Mid-career award recipient professor Shu made major contributions to elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of inflammation and innate antiviral immune responses. His group focus on the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1)-triggered signaling, apoptosis and inflammatory responses and pattern-recognition and innate antiviral immune responses. Liangguo Xu, Professor, Jiangxi Normal University said “Professor Shu provided me the structural support when I first started independently and was searching for my own funding in China. Although he is very busy and I have my own lab, he is still always approachable. As I run into difficulties in my own career, I can still count on him to be there. “

Launched in 2005, the annual Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science recognize outstanding scientific mentorship and focus on a specific country or countries each year. Nature is the leading weekly, international scientific journal.

More information about the Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science is available at www.nature.com/nature/awards/mentorship/