The Asian Biophysics Association (ABA), a scientific organization that promotes biophysics research and education in the region, has appointed its first ever female president, it was announced on May 10.

The new president, Yan Xiyun, is professor of the Institute of Biophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The announcement came whilst she was presiding over the 9th ABA Symposium, the largest-scale biophysics conference in Asia-Pacific region. The post will last for three years.

Yan is a specialist in nanobiology, and has counted many achievements and fruits in scientific discovery, technological invention and transformation of scientific and technological results during her career. She is known for having discovered the critical role of a cell membrane molecule, CD146, in blood vessel growth, and developing an antibody for tumor therapy. She has also been highly praised in the fields of nanomaterials and nanoparticles.

Yan’s achievements were twice named as major advances in China’s scientific development, and in 2012, she was honored with the "Second Class National Natural Science Award". In addition, some of her patents have been used by companies in developed countries and regions such as the U.S., Europe and Japan, achieving contract values totaling 168 million yuan (U.S. $ 27 million).

Yan qualified for the ABA position through her "remarkable" contributions to scientific study and technological research, as well as her rich working experience in international academic institutions, said an ABA council official.

The appointment of Yan will lend a greater voice for Chinese scientists in international academia, especially for women researchers engaged in the field— a common wish of all professors at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese people beyond. (Women of China)