Shanghai Ocean University received technical recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in the 2025 World Food Forum Transformative Research Challenge, which concluded on Oct 14 in Rome.

At the competition, SHOU's doctoral student team, led by Han Huan, a PhD candidate from the university's College of Fisheries and Life Science, stood out among global competitors and won the top award in the inaugural "Sustainable Aquaculture Award" category for their project "Probiotics reduce greenhouse gas and off-flavor."

Han and team advisor Associate Professor Li Kang were invited to the FAO headquarters for the final competition.

The team also includes Nawal Asif, a Pakistani PhD candidate at the university, along with master's students Li Jiawei and Wang Yuanyuan, who specialize in ecological aquaculture and quality enhancement.

Guided by Li Kang, the team has formed an interdisciplinary research matrix focusing on microbial technology, ecological assessment, and social adaptation.

Reflecting on the competition, Han said the team aimed to expand its research beyond the laboratory to global aquaculture fields, integrating innovation into technology to help more people worldwide benefits from sustainable aquaculture.

The World Food Forum Transformative Research Challenge is a premier youth scientific competition initiated by the UN, focusing on "food security and agricultural system transformation." TRC aims to invite global scholars under 35 to address critical challenges to global food security posed by climate, resources, and equity issues, using innovative solutions to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Since its inception in 2021, the challenge has attracted over 2,000 innovative proposals globally, with 71 benchmark projects receiving more than $500,000 in total funding, with many outcomes applied directly to FAO policy practices.

The award further enhances SHOU's global influence in fisheries research and reflects international recognition of China's efforts in sustainable aquaculture development.

Source: Official WeChat account of SHOU International Exchange Office at "gh_8bda6f729e5c"