The 2nd International Symposium on Soil Microbiome and Soil Health

From 2024 October 29th to November 2nd, with the joint support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Technology, our university successfully held the 2nd International Symposium on Soil Microbiome and Soil Health. Vice Presidents Luo Jun and Wei Gehong, as well as Academician James M. Tiedje of the National Academy of Sciences (online), delivered opening remarks.

Luo Jun reviewed the fruitful achievements since the establishment of the "111 Base for Introduction of Talents," highlighting the key role of international cooperation in driving disciplinary innovation and enhancing global academic competitiveness. He acknowledged the significant progress made in talent cultivation and the transformation of scientific research achievements, and expressed the hope for further strengthening the integration of research resources and support to promote higher-quality development of the discipline.

Professor Wei Gehong, the chief expert of the Base for Innovation and Talent Introduction, elaborated on the latest progress in collaboration with international experts, emphasizing the importance of transnational academic exchanges and knowledge sharing. He announced that the base plans to further expand academic exchange channels in the coming years, promote technical collaboration and innovation, and provide scientific support and innovative solutions for global soil health issues in arid regions.

Academician James M. Tiedje of the National Academy of Sciences spoke online, expressing his intention to continue expanding the international cooperation network and encouraging more overseas scholars to join the research efforts of the base.

Professors Zhou Jizhong from the University of Oklahoma, James Elser from the University of Montana, Jay Lennon from Indiana University, Kostas T. Konstantinidis from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Shi Wei from North Carolina State University, James Prosser from the University of Aberdeen, Richard Bardgett from the University of Manchester, Kornelia Smalla from the Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Laurent Philippot from the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, Ashley Shade from the University of Lyon, Siu Mui Tsai from the University of Sao Paulo, Belinda Ferrari from the University of New South Wales, Victor Jose Carrion Bravo from the University of Malaga, Chang-Jun Cha from Chung-Ang University, Yong-Hwan Lee from Seoul National University, Nicole Geerlings from the University of Vienna, Wei Zhong from Nanjing Agricultural University, He Yan from Zhejiang University, Jiang Yujia from Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Wang Fang from the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiao Shuo, Qian Xun, Ren Chengjie, Zhang Lei, and Dr. Song Li from our university delivered 24 academic reports on research topics such as the soil microbiome, microbe-plant interactions, and microbial ecology. They in-depth discussed cutting-edge and hot topics in the field of soil microbiology and soil health, and shared their latest research findings and insights.

To promote in-depth exchanges among participants, the conference specially set up a poster presentation session, featuring the cutting-edge research progress of 26 graduate students. Attendees engaged in lively academic discussions around these research posters.

Over 200 well-known scholars from home and abroad, including members of the National Academy of Sciences, the European Academy of Sciences, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Society, attended the symposium. This not only promoted international academic exchanges but also laid a solid foundation for future multilateral scientific research collaborations. It advocates for global scientists to join hands in addressing the challenges of soil health in arid regions, jointly advancing the development of soil microbiome and soil health research, and contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture and ecosystem protection.