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British Medical Experts Invited to Shaanxi for Academic Exchange

From June 2 to 7, 2025, at the invitation of the Shaanxi International Medical Exchange Promotion Association, Professor Stephen Burgess—author of Mendelian Randomization: Using Genetic Variants for Causal Estimation and head of the MRC Biostatistics Unit at the University of Cambridge—visited Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital and the School of Medicine of Northwest University for international academic exchange and an on-site inspection of the research and teaching environment at both institutions.

On June 3, the “China-UK Academic Exchange Conference on Mendelian Randomization in Genetic Epidemiology” opened at the main campus of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital. The event was hosted by Deputy Director Wen, Hongxia of the hospital’s Teaching Office and attracted more than 100 medical staff and resident doctors. Attendees included Party Secretary Wang, Xiangxu, Professor Yang, Yang, and Associate Professor Li, Huiping from the School of Medicine of Northwest University. Vice President Duan, Jianglong, head of the National Demonstration Base for Talent Introduction, delivered a welcome speech, highlighting the importance of this exchange in enhancing residents’ research capabilities and expanding academic perspectives. On behalf of the base, he presented Professor Burgess with an honorary certificate, while the International Department of the Shaanxi International Medical Exchange Promotion Association also awarded him the title of Distinguished Expert.

During the exchange, Professor Burgess delivered a series of lectures at both institutions titled “Using Genetic Epidemiology to Understand Causal Relationships: Performing Credible Mendelian Randomization Investigations.” He systematically explained the scientific application of Mendelian randomization research methods. Following the lectures, attendees actively engaged in discussions, with Professor Burgess providing detailed responses to each question, creating a strong atmosphere of academic exchange.

After the sessions, Professor Burgess, accompanied by Deputy Director Wen, Hongxia and Director Liu, Peng, visited the practical teaching base at the main campus and the Xixian campus of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital. Guided by Professor Yang, Yang, he also inspected the laboratories at the School of Medicine of Northwest University and conducted on-site guidance and exchanges on scientific research practices, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

As head of the research group at the MRC Biostatistics Unit of the University of Cambridge and Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Professor Stephen Burgess has published more than 350 SCI papers, including over 50 as first or corresponding author in journals such as JAMA, JAMA Cardiology, and European Heart Journal. He currently serves as a reviewer for top journals including Genetics and PLOS Medicine, an expert reviewer for the World Cancer Research Fund, and co-chair of the European Causal Inference Meeting Steering Committee. Since 2019, he has been selected for the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list for six consecutive years.