Professor Jingyuan Chen, Ph.D., is a distinguished scholar in electrochemistry whose remarkable career has been shaped by resilience, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong dedication to advancing both scientific knowledge and education. Born on September 18, 1957, in Xiamen, China, she grew up during a time of profound social and educational change, and in 1977 she became part of the first generation of students to pass the reinstated university entrance examinations following the Cultural Revolution. This milestone opened the door to higher education, and she pursued her undergraduate studies at Tianjin University of Science and Technology, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and Engineering in 1982. Following graduation, she applied her skills in the chemical industry, first as an engineer at Xiamen Electrochemistry Company and later as Chief Director of Research and Technology Development at Nongru Nianhe Chemistry Company, where she gained invaluable practical experience in developing new chemical processes and technologies. Motivated by a desire to deepen her expertise and contribute to fundamental science, she moved to Japan in 1990 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Fukui. There, she completed her master’s degree in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology in 1993, followed by her Ph.D. in Materials Engineering in 1996 under the mentorship of Professor Koichi Aoki. Her doctoral research, titled Statistical Thermodynamics of Redox Interaction at Polynuclear Transition-Metal Complexes, combined theoretical models with chemical synthesis, electrochemical measurements, and spectroscopic techniques, establishing a strong foundation for her later research into the physics of interfacial phenomena in electrochemistry. After earning her Ph.D., Professor Chen began her professional research career as a senior researcher at MAEDA KOSEN Company Limited from 1996 to 1998, where she bridged the gap between fundamental science and industrial applications. In 1998, she transitioned to academia, joining Kanazawa University as a lecturer, and soon after expanded her international outlook through a visiting scholar appointment in Professor Henry White’s laboratory at the University of Utah from 2000 to 2001. Returning to Japan, she joined the University of Fukui, where she advanced steadily from lecturer to associate professor, and in 2017 she was promoted to full professor of Applied Physics. In recognition of her long-standing contributions, she was named Honorary Professor of the University of Fukui in 2023. Throughout her academic career, Professor Chen has distinguished herself not only through her pioneering research but also through her commitment to education, having supervised thirty-seven Ph.D. students from Japan, China, Thailand, and other countries, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions of their own. Her research has consistently focused on the fundamentals of electrochemical science, with a particular emphasis on interfacial phenomena, and her work has advanced understanding in areas that connect physical chemistry and materials science. Beyond her laboratory, she has been an active and respected member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the International Society of Electrochemistry, and several major Japanese chemical societies, reflecting her integration into the global scientific community. With decades of experience as a researcher, mentor, and international collaborator, Professor Chen continues to be recognized as an influential figure whose career exemplifies the pursuit of fundamental knowledge while fostering scientific exchange across cultures and disciplines.

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