To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Cell magazine recently launched a special feature titled “50 Scientists that Inspire,” honoring 50 outstanding scientists worldwide who drive innovation, transcend disciplinary boundaries, and inspire future generations. One of the outstanding scientists is Jiawei Wang, a 1999 graduate of the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU).
Jiawei Wang
Bachelor’s in Biotechnology, Class of 1999, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Deputy Director, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wang's research focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly in the areas of plant aging and regeneration. He has conducted systematic research in this field and established a perennial model species in the crucifer family. He successfully cloned the key gene responsible for repeated flowering in perennials, enabling the conversion between annual and perennial plant life cycles. He also proposed that cell division in the meristem is the fundamental cause of irreversible plant aging.
Wang has received numerous honors, including:
- Tencent Xplorer Prize (2022)
- Tan Jiazhen Life Science Innovation Award (2022)
- China Youth Science and Technology Award (2016)
- Selected for the New Cornerstone Investigator Program
- Recognized as a Leading Young Scientist by the Ministry of Science and Technology
- Named a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate (2021–2024)
He currently serves as Senior Editor of the journal Plant Cell.
About the Award
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cell, Cell Press launched the “50 Scientists that Inspire” initiative, selecting 50 scientists from around the world whose work exemplifies innovation, interdisciplinary impact, and future-oriented thinking in scientific research.
