Nanshan Zhong

Nanshan Zhong is a highly esteemed Chinese scientist, pulmonologist, and epidemiologist who has made significant contributions to the field of respiratory diseases. He was born on October 18, 1936, in Guangdong Province, China. Currently, he serves as the Director of the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. He also holds the position of an Honorary Dean at the Guangzhou Medical University. Throughout his illustrious career, Zhong has made groundbreaking research achievements in the areas of respiratory diseases, particularly in the understanding, prevention, and treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He played a crucial role in the fight against SARS in 2003, and his research findings have been instrumental in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in China and globally. Zhong's major research achievements include the discovery of the SARS coronavirus, identification of the source of infection, and development of diagnostic methods and treatment strategies for the disease. He has also conducted extensive research on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and lung cancer. Nanshan Zhong has received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to the field of respiratory medicine. Some of the most notable accolades include the National Science and Technology Progress Award, the Guangdong Science and Technology Progress Award, and the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Award for Scientific and Technological Progress. In 2020, he was awarded the Medal of the Republic by Chinese President Xi Jinping for his exceptional work in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Zhong's dedication and expertise have earned him widespread recognition and respect, both in China and internationally.