Dr. Yigong Shi stands as a preeminent figure in structural biology and academic leadership, currently serving as the founding and first president of Westlake University since April 2018. Born in Zhengzhou, China in 1967, he completed his Bachelor of Science with highest honors in biology and mathematics from Tsinghua University in 1989 before earning his PhD in molecular biophysics from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1995. His distinguished academic career includes a significant tenure at Princeton University where he rose to become Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Molecular Biology after joining as Assistant Professor in 1998 and achieving full professorship in 2003. Prior to leading Westlake University, Dr. Shi served as Vice President of Tsinghua University from 2015 to 2018 and Dean of Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences from 2009 to 2016, where he profoundly shaped the institution's research direction.
Dr. Shi's groundbreaking research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of fundamental cellular processes through structural biology approaches, particularly in the areas of programmed cell death (apoptosis), membrane protein function, and macromolecular machinery assembly. His laboratory has made seminal contributions to understanding the spliceosome structure and function, with continuous research since 2008 revealing critical insights into pre-mRNA splicing mechanisms that underpin gene expression regulation. A landmark achievement was his team's determination of the three-dimensional structure of human γ-secretase published in Nature in 2014, which provided unprecedented understanding of this complex associated with Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. His work on apoptotic proteins, including the crystal structures of apaf-1, DIAP1, and the BIR3 domain of XIAP, has transformed the field's comprehension of cellular death pathways with significant implications for cancer and other disease research.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Shi has been instrumental in advancing China's scientific landscape through visionary institutional leadership, successfully establishing Westlake University as the nation's first research-oriented private university dedicated to cutting-edge scientific inquiry and advanced technology education. His strategic vision for Westlake University encompasses cultivating world-class talent while fostering an environment of academic excellence that bridges traditional disciplinary boundaries in pursuit of scientific breakthroughs. Dr. Shi previously co-chaired the Joint Administrative Committee of Tsinghua and Hong Kong Baptist University, demonstrating his commitment to international academic collaboration and institutional development. Currently, his laboratory continues to pioneer structural elucidation of complex biological machinery while he simultaneously guides Westlake University's evolution into a globally recognized center for scientific innovation, with his leadership philosophy emphasizing the integration of fundamental research with practical applications for societal benefit.
