Dr. Feng Xu received his bachelor degree in both Thermal Energy and Power Engineering and Industrial Engineering in 2001, master degree in Thermal Energy Engineering in 2004, all from Xi'an Jiaotong University, and his Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 2008. Subsequently, he worked as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School and Harvard-MIT Health Science & Technology (HST) from 2008 to 2011. In 2011, he founded the Bioinspired Engineering & Biomechanics Center (BEBC) at Xi’an Jiaotong University, where he currently holds the positions of full professor, Dean of the School of Life Science and Technology, and Director of The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education.

Dr. Xu's research focuses on advancing human health through the integration of engineering, science, biology, and medicine, with particular emphasis on biomechanics, mechanopathology, mechanobiology, and mechanomedicine. His work has been highlighted in international media. Dr. Xu's publications have been cited over 26,500 times, with an H-index of 91

Dr. Xu's interdisciplinary research has been acknowledged through numerous awards, including the "National Natural Science Award" (2nd prize, 2015), the Science and Technology Award of the Ministry of Education (1st prize, 2014), the "Henan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award" (2nd prize, 2017), and the "Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award" (1st prize, 2018), among others. He has also received individual awards, such as the "Chinese Mechanics Youth Science and Technology Award" (2017) and the "Shaanxi Youth Science and Technology Award" (2016), the "National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars" (2022), and the "70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China Commemorative Medal" (2019). Dr. Xu has served as Associate Editor and Editor for several high-profile journals, co-chaired over 20 international conferences/workshops, and given over 100 invited seminars and keynote lectures. He has also been recognized in the Top 2% Scientists Worldwide (2020-2023) and as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2021-2023).

Topic title: Interdisciplinary Collaboration of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: From Biomechanics and Mechanobiology to Mechanopathology and Mechanomedicine

Abstract:

Throughout the history of technological development, the progress of any discipline is not isolated. Interdisciplinary research is necessary for modern scientific and technological innovation, and it is also the catalyst for rapid technology development. From traditional Chinese acupuncture and massage to modern physical rehabilitation, mechanics has always been associated with the development of medicine. As an endogenous element of living organisms, mechanical factors can not only serve as important criteria for disease diagnosis but are also efficient and powerful in disease intervention. With the development of science and technology, our understanding of life and health has gradually increased, especially in the past few decades. The rapid development in biomechanics and mechanobiology research has continuously raised the importance of mechanics in life and health. This has promoted the emergence and development of mechanopathology and mechanomedicine, and meanwhile has revitalized the field of biomedicine. In the context of the rapid development of biomedical engineering technology and its protection of public health, emphasizing the intersection of mechanics and biomedicine helps guide the high-quality development of science. Conducting mechanopathology and Mechanomedicine studies which are based on biomechanics and biophysics is of significant importance in promoting industries of medical diagnosis and treatment, as well as providing multiple new ideas for developing intervention measures for serious and chronic diseases.