Kiel University announces research alliance with Shanghai Ocean University

On June 27, a five-member delegation from Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) visited the Physiological Institute of the Faculty of Medicine at Kiel University (CAU). The meeting aimed to deepen scientific exchange — particularly at the interface between marine research and medicine — and to initiate a new collaboration in both research and teaching. During the visit, Professor Dr. Ralph Schneider, CAU Vice President for Vice President for Internationalisation and Early Career Researchers, Professor Dr. Markus Bleich, Head of the Institute of Physiology, and Professor Dr. Min Jiang, Vice President of SHOU, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement is based on a shared interest in marine science.

New impetus for Internationalization and Marine Research

 "This partnership is an important step for us. It strengthens our research profile in marine sciences and medicine," said Prof. Dr. Markus Bleich. The Vice President of SHOU, Professor Min Jiang, also emphasized the relevance of international cooperation in her presentation of the university - especially in the field of marine sciences. International cooperation is a strategic concern for Kiel University. "The new alliance with Shanghai Ocean University allows us international mobility for students and early career researchers and bilateral research projects on socially relevant topics," emphasized CAU Vice President Professor Dr. Ralph Schneider in his welcome address.

Shared Interests in Marine and Life Sciences

Shanghai Ocean University, with over 18,000 students, has excellent international networks Their visit to Kiel underlines their commitment to global academic partnerships and lays the foundation for future-oriented cooperation in marine and life sciences. Following the official welcome, Prof. Dr. Alexa Klettner (Department of Ophthalmology, UKSH) introduced Kiel Marine Science (KMS), CAU’s priority research area. The presentations spanned topics from coastal research to marine resources such as algae, highlighting opportunities for future joint projects.

Research cooperation on the adaptability of marine organisms to climate change

The starting point for the new partnership between Kiel’s Institute of Physiology and Shanghai University is the research of Dr. Marian Hu, who initially led an Emmy Noether Junior Research Group and is now funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant. Hu investigates how marine organisms — such as sea urchin larvae — react to environmental changes, using physiological approaches. In the future, he aims to work closely with Professor Dr. Youji Wang from the College of Fisheries and Life Science at SHOU. Both researchers work across disciplines to understand the adaptability of marine organisms to climate change and have existing collaborations with institutions such as the University of Rostock and the Alfred-Wegener-Institute (AWI). Recently, Prof. Wang published the first comprehensive English-language monograph on ocean acidification in marine mollusks, titled "Ecophysiology and Ocean Acidification in Marine Mollusks: From Molecule to Behavior" (Elsevier Academic Press). "The scientific expertise of Professor Wang ideally complements our research and forms the basis for a long-term collaboration in both research and teaching," emphasizes Dr. Marian Hu. 
The visit program was rounded off with a tour of the Institute of Physiology and a the CAU campus.

This article was first published on 27 June by Kiel University.