How I Became a Junior Assistant to the UN Resident Representative in China 爱博物    2025-08-22

[Preface]

On May 29, 2021, Lü Yuxuan, a student from Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science, was recommended by IBOWU to participate in the Tencent Youth Science Conference as a junior scientist assistant.

This article shares his retrospective story about his connection with IBOWU. We also welcome more students from JSR Academy to contribute articles, sharing the wisdom and joy that science has brought you.

Author: Lü Yuxuan

On May 29, I participated in the 3rd Tencent Youth Science Conference & "Face to Face with Scientists" event. I was honored to be selected as an expert assistant for the environmental protection theme, accompanying Mr. Tu Ruihe, Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in China, throughout the event and hosting the conference session. This opportunity allowed me to interact closely with scientists, engage in face-to-face communication and learning with high-level experts, and was not only inspiring due to the scientists’ approachability but also fueled my passion and determination to explore science. I am sincerely grateful to IBOWU JSR Academy (omitting ten thousand words of thanks here) for this incredible learning opportunity and platform!

▲ At the Tencent Youth Science Conference "Face to Face with Scientists" event. Six junior scientist assistants were selected for this conference; besides two university students, the other four high school students were all from IBOWU · JSR Academy.

My connection with IBOWU began in 2019. Having been fascinated by biology since childhood, I embrace anything related to the subject. By chance, I learned about the CRISPR project at IBOWU JSR Academy from a classmate and developed a strong interest. After thorough research, I signed up with several classmates for the Zebrafish Gene Editing project during the 2019 Christmas holiday. We studied at the Qingdao Huada Gene Institute (National Gene Bank of Marine Life), learning from the instructors there. We not only attended lectures carefully prepared by top domestic experts but also got to perform experiments hands-on. Our teachers included leading national experts who explained knowledge from a macro perspective, radiating insights across various fields, as well as basic courses specifically designed for teenagers, making complex subjects easy to understand through entertaining education.

▲ Learning CRISPR gene editing in fish at the Qingdao National Marine Gene Bank

We used the most cutting-edge experimental equipment, learning skills such as injecting zebrafish with needles finer than cells... During those days, we were constantly surrounded and inspired by advanced scientific knowledge. What we gained wasn’t just knowledge, but also guided interest, broadened horizons, and the thinking patterns and logic behind science subtly ingrained in our minds. Moreover, being with these excellent scientist mentors every day, inspired by their dedication, persistence, and resilience, ignited our enthusiasm for knowledge and science. It felt as if we caught a glimpse of our future path, filled with anticipation—a truly wonderful experience...

▲ Performing microinjection operations

This learning experience opened the door to exploring biological sciences for me. Over the next two years, I frequently participated in various popular science activities organized by IBOWU. I met many experts and connected with like-minded peers. We often gathered on weekends to explore the mysteries of biological science. I would especially like to recommend Mr. Leng Zhe from IBOWU JSR Academy. Mr. Leng, also a popular science communicator on Zhihu, excels at explaining profound theories and knowledge in simple, understandable language and examples. He has been a great mentor and friend on my scientific journey, and I highly recommend everyone seize the opportunity to attend one of his science lectures.

This year, I also joined the 2021 iGEM team formed by IBOWU. The team brings together over ten teenagers from the United States and various parts of China who share a passion for biological science. With common interests and goals, we are working hard toward the dream of winning a global gold medal. During the iGEM preparation process, I organized, planned, and hosted the Beijing iGEM meetup in April. Several university teams (including teams from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing University of Chemical Technology) also participated in the event. Likely due to my outstanding performance (blush