In November 2023, the League of Tropical Universities was officially established. Initiated by Hainan University in collaboration with seven leading universities and research institutions in tropical regions, the league became the world's first multilateral cooperation platform dedicated to universities and research institutions in tropical areas. Since its inception, the alliance has united nearly 90 universities and research institutions from over 30 countries and regions.

In recent years, Hainan University has fully leveraged the advantages of the league, focusing on areas such as tropical agriculture, marine technology, ecological environment, and life sciences. The university has been committed to promoting talent cultivation in the diverse cultural environment of tropical regions, attracting more and more international youth to come to Hainan and integrate into the local community.

In 2019, driven by his deep passion for marine science, Jakkrit Jieranai embarked on a journey from Thailand to Hainan University in search of broader horizons for his life. "There are many experienced professors and experts, which have been incredibly helpful for my research," he said. During his three years as a master's student, Jieranai worked hard but found great fulfillment. With the support of his teachers and classmates, he quickly adapted to studying abroad and learning Chinese.

"During my years at Hainan University, the biggest change I've noticed is the increased investment in education. The university's vision has expanded, and its areas of focus have become more diverse," Jieranai said. The year 2023 marked both the official establishment of the League of Tropical Universities and the beginning of his Ph.D. studies in biomedical engineering at Hainan University. "The world is shaped by what people create, rather than by waiting for divine blessings. I deeply admire the Chinese people's pursuit of knowledge, and this is one of the reasons I chose to stay."

Since the establishment of the League of Tropical Universities, Hainan University has focused on scientific research cooperation with partner countries in areas such as tropical agriculture, marine technology, ecological environment, and life sciences. By setting concrete goals, the university provides clear direction for research efforts. "These goals help me prioritize my work, ensuring that my efforts align with the specific challenges and opportunities faced by tropical regions," Jieranai said. Determined to push his own boundaries, he made a bold transition from marine science to biomedical engineering, shifting his focus from studying fish and the ocean to mice and humans.

"When the amount of DNA is very small, it is difficult to detect. To address this, we take advantage of DNA denaturation at 95°C, where it separates into single strands. At 55°C, primers bind to the single strands based on complementary base pairing. Then, we adjust the temperature to around 72°C, the optimal reaction temperature for DNA polymerase, allowing DNA replication. As the DNA quantity increases, the detection time is significantly reduced," Jieranai explained. Currently, he is researching virus detection technology based on photonic PCR. By leveraging the excellent photothermal conversion properties of gold nanoparticles, this technology enables rapid temperature cycling under light exposure, reducing detection time from one hour to just 15 minutes, greatly improving efficiency.

"For me, the field of cancer immunology is entirely new. Previously, I only worked with cell culture and PCR techniques, but these were applied to fish, not humans. So, there is a lot I need to learn and study, which means I have to work even harder than others," Jieranai said. Now, he has embarked on a new academic journey at Hainan University’s Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City Industry Promotion Center. Looking ahead, he hopes to expand his research into tumor immunology, gaining a deeper understanding of the interactions between the immune system and tumors, ultimately developing more effective cancer immunotherapies.

As collaboration and exchanges within the League of Tropical Universities continue to deepen, young scholars from member universities in Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and other tropical regions have developed closer ties with Hainan University. Many juniors often ask Jieranai about his life and studies in Hainan, and he always says, "Living in China is not much different from living in Thailand. Hainan is my second home. Welcome to Hainan University!"

chinadaily.com.cn contributed to the story.