On December 24, 2025, the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University inaugurated the Center for Life Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (CLSAI)during a ceremony held in the reception hall of the Main Building. Wang Hongwei, Vice President of Tsinghua University, presided over the event.
The scene
In his address, Vice President Wang highlighted the critical convergence of life sciences and artificial intelligence. He described the establishment of the center as a strategic initiative designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance scientific and technological self-reliance. Wang endorsed the center’s dual-focused strategy—“AI empowering life sciences and life sciences inspiring AI”—and pledged the university’s full support for its development. He expressed optimism that the center will address major challenges in the field and contribute Tsinghua’s expertise to the advancement of global science.
Shi Songhai (right) presents the letter of appointment to Zhang Qiangfeng and Jia Xiaoxuan (left)
Director Zhang Qiangfeng presents the center
Shi Songhai, Dean of the School of Life Sciences and a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), formally announced the center’s launch. He appointed Zhang Qiangfeng as Director and Jia Xiaoxuan as Deputy Director, presenting them with their official letters of appointment.
Xie Wei, Vice Dean of the School, unveiled the center’s Academic Advisory Committee. Chaired by Zhang Zemin, President of Chongqing Medical University, the committee comprises distinguished experts including Chen Runsheng of the CAS Institute of Biophysics; Cai Xiujun, President of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine at Zhejiang University ; Huang Tiejun of the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence; Shi Songhai; Wang Zhixin of the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University; and Zhang Yaqin, Dean of Tsinghua’s Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR).
The inauguration ceremony featured keynote speeches by Chen Runsheng (CAS Member); Xu Jinbo, founder of Molecular Heart and ISCB International Fellow; Zhang Chenyu, Dean of the School of Life Sciences at Nanjing University; and Zhang Xuegong, Professor at Tsinghua’s Department of Automation and School of Life Sciences.
Co-chaired by Xie Wei and Zhang Qiangfeng, the event was attended by representatives from universities, research institutes, and enterprises.
Group photo
