The 2026 International Summer School on Chemistry, will be hosted by Zhiyuan College from July 5 to 19. The Summer School mainly aims at providing undergraduate students with strong passion in Chemistry from domestic and overseas universities with a platform to gain experiences with cutting-edge research and build friendships among their peers.
Chemistry, as the "central science" bridging the physical sciences and the living world, is driving unprecedented innovations in energy, health, materials, and the environment. This summer school is designed to create an international platform for the world’s future leaders in Chemistry—a stage that integrates top-tier knowledge, stimulates innovative thinking, and fosters lifelong friendship.
At the summer school, you will join outstanding students and scholars from around the globe to unravel the mysteries of molecules and explore the boundless frontiers of modern Chemistry. All courses and activities in this program will be conducted in English, primarily comprising the following modules:
• 48 hour Professional Courses
• Series of Cutting-edge Academic Lectures
• Scientific Research Practice and Exploration Projects
• SJTU & Shanghai Exploration
• Exciting Cultural Activities
Logistics and Fees:
- Accommodation: Uniformally arranged
- Travel Costs: Self-covered
Interested students are invited to submit online applications by March 15. All applicants will be notified of the results via email by March 25.
Online application link: https://wj.sjtu.edu.cn/q/XeXWxADP
For inquiries, please contact: fanwenfang@sjtu.edu.cn (Ms. Fan, SJTU).
Organizers
Zhiyuan College: A Cradle for Elite Talents
Zhiyuan College, founded in 2010, is directly funded by Ministry of Education, China. It is an undergraduate institute within SJTU that provides an elite-education for the top 10% undergraduate students and bear a mission to train them to become future leaders in science and technology. In 2016, its “Curiosity-Driven Initiative Learning” project won the “Cultivating Curiosity Award” and “Natural Sciences Award” at the Education Innovation Conference of the 3rd Global “Reimagine Education 2016”, which was jointly held by Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania and International Education Rating Organization QS. In 2024, Zhiyuan College was recognized as one of the National Advanced Organizations in Education.
Courses
Introduction to Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry
Instructor: Jean-Paul Desaulniers
Chemical biology is an interdisciplinary discipline that involves chemistry, physics and biology. Through the application of tools and techniques, new and complex biological questions can be examined. Often this involves the synthesis and development of small molecules and/or biological molecules and examining the effect that they have within biological systems. The students will investigate the properties of amino acids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. Using mechanistic organic chemistry, we will investigate and understand the synthesis of peptides, oligonucleotides and carbohydrates, and how these can be applied to chemical biology. Every day, there will be a core topic of interest, and problems will be presented. These problems will involve a fundamental area of mechanistic organic chemistry, and how it can be applied to chemical biology. This course is targeted at students who have completed their introductory year of organic chemistry. The format will be a 2-hour session that are driven, each day, by problem sets. Detailed discussion will follow from thinking about the questions and their solutions. A cumulative examination will be given in both areas on the last day of class.
Computational Quantum Chemistry
Instructor: Fuming Tao
The course provides a comprehensive theoretical and practical foundation for solving the Schrödinger equation to predict molecular properties. Students master the computational hierarchy from Hartree-Fock to Density Functional Theory (DFT), learning to model chemical structures, simulate reactions, and predict spectroscopic data. Through hands-on application of industry-standard software, the course transforms abstract quantum principles into practical skills for in silico molecular design and mechanistic analysis, establishing essential expertise for research in chemistry, materials science, and drug discovery. By attending the course, the students can learn to model molecules and predict their properties, and master the theoretical foundations and practical applications of using computers to solve the equations of quantum mechanics.
Introduction of Biophysics
Instructor: Qiong Yang
This course explores the fascinating interface where physics meets biology. The students will investigate how the fundamental principles of physics—covering mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum phenomena—govern the structure, dynamics, and function of living systems. Moving from molecules to cells, key topics will include the physical forces shaping biomolecules (like protein folding), the mechanics of cellular structures, the electrical signaling in neurons, and the energetics of molecular machines. A strong emphasis is placed on quantitative reasoning and modern experimental and computational techniques, such as single-molecule methods and molecular dynamics simulations. Students will learn to apply physical models to understand complex biological phenomena, bridging conceptual understanding with real-world applications in medicine and biotechnology. This course is designed for students with backgrounds in physics, biology, or chemistry who seek a rigorous, quantitative foundation for understanding the physical essence of life.
Faculty
Jean-Paul Desaulniers is a full professor at Ontario Tech University, and is currently the 2022-2027 Research Excellence Chair in Chemical Biology. He has received several wards, such as the 2018 Ontario Tech University Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2021 Ontario Tech University Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision. Over the past 15 years, he has published over 60 papers, received over $3.7 million Canadian dollars (about 18 million RMB) in funding as PI and co-PI, given over 45 invited talks, partnered with various industries in the biotech within Canada and abroad, and collaborates with numerous domestic and international scientists (Japan, China, & Thailand).
Professor Mingtao Fu (Fu-Ming Tao) is a physical chemist specializing in computational chemistry. He holds a Ph.D. from Boston College and conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard and Brown Universities. His research focuses on theoretical studies of molecular structures, interactions, and reaction mechanisms. His work applies these methods to solve critical environmental and biological problems, such as the behavior of persistent organic pollutants, acid dissociation, and atmospheric chemistry. He has published extensively in journals like The Journal of Physical Chemistry and Chemosphere, collaborating widely with experimental scientists to validate and inform his theoretical models.
Qiong Yang is a biophysicist studying the self-organizing principles of early embryonic development. By integrating molecular, cellular, and tissue-scale perspectives, her research reveals how spatiotemporal patterns emerge from networks of biochemical signals and mechanical forces. She employs both minimal cell-free extracts and live embryos to uncover the physical mechanisms governing collective cellular behaviors. Recognized with awards such as the Sloan Research Fellowship in Physics, an NIH MIRA Award, and an NSF CAREER Award, she holds a Ph.D. from MIT and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University.
Activities
Beyond the core curriculum, students will take part in a range of complementary academic and cultural activities designed to enrich their overall experience. This includes interactive seminars that foster discussion and problem-solving, as well as special lectures by faculty and experts.
The program also features organized tours, including a guided city tour of Shanghai to explore its cultural and modern landmarks, and a comprehensive campus tour of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), offering a firsthand look at the academic environment and facilities.
These activities are thoughtfully integrated to provide a holistic learning journey, blending academic engagement with cultural immersion and social connection.
