Zhao Jianqiao is a Class of 2024 Ph.D. graduate from the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from the College of Land Science and Technology of China Agricultural University. In 2019, Zhao was recommended to study for a Ph.D. degree in ecology with Associate Professor Yu Le in the DESS, Tsinghua University. Her main research interests include global biodiversity conservation, land use/cover change, agricultural land use and food security. During her doctoral studies, she had 5 papers published or accepted as the first author. Meanwhile, she won such honors as Beijing Excellent Graduate, Tsinghua University Yingcai First-class Scholarship, Tsinghua University DESS Comprehensive First-class Scholarship, and Tsinghua University Excellent Student Leader.

Academic Research: Persevering and Undeterred by Failure

Given her research interest in the field of land use/cover change and agricultural land use, Zhao Jianqiao joined the Research Group of Associate Professor Yu Le from the DESS of Tsinghua University to carry out research on the relationship between agricultural land change and biodiversity conservation. Farmland expansion and intensification are the main driving forces of biodiversity loss, making it imperative to protect biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation while meeting the needs of farmland and food is critical for sustainable development, which necessitates global-scale, intensive investigative efforts. However, at the nascent stage of this research endeavor, Zhao Jianqiao encountered impediments stemming from a relatively limited understanding of the biodiversity domain, hindering swift research progress, which made her impatient. In response, Associate Professor Yu Le, her mentor, consistently offered unwavering encouragement, emphasizing that all endeavors are inherently challenging at their inception and that scientific inquiry is not an overnight accomplishment. He counseled perseverance, advocating that even at a slow pace, we should still follow scientific methodologies to conduct rigorous research.

Zhao Jianqiao participated in the oral defense of her doctoral thesis

Under the careful guidance of her mentor, Zhao Jianqiao has read a large number of books and documents in her specialized area and mastered a wealth of knowledge in her specialty. Throughout her five-year studies in the DESS program, Zhao Jianqiao consistently demonstrated a remarkable level of self-motivation in her research endeavors. In the midst of challenges, she fostered resilience, persevering through repeated setbacks and overcoming adversity. This experience profoundly underscored for her the imperative of relentless intellectual pursuit and unwavering courage in the face of failure as pivotal to the enhancement of her research capabilities. During her studies, Zhao Jianqiao analyzed the impact of agricultural land characteristics on biodiversity in different land cover types, evaluated the spatiotemporal trends of habitat quality and habitat degradation in global and global protected areas, and identified the conflicts and trade-offs between agricultural land and biodiversity protection. These research results can provide reference for balancing the needs of human beings for agricultural land and biodiversity for natural habitats, offering a scientific basis for effective management, planning and expansion of protected land system.

Student Work: All-round Development Distinguished by Political Loyalty and Professional Competency

Influenced by the "dual-role" counselor system at Tsinghua University, Zhao Jianqiao diligently served as a moral education assistant for two consecutive years, embracing and advancing the esteemed tradition of "being politically sound, academically proficient, and holistically developed." Zhao Jianqiao approaches every assignment with a meticulous and responsible mindset. As an assistant in party building endeavors, she actively collaborates with faculty members within the graduate student work group, conscientiously scrutinizing the developmental materials of party members. She organized the visit of the 19th Party Branch of the DESS Graduate Program to the Xiong'an New Area to execute the special "Red 1+1" activities, successfully completing the project. Furthermore, she aided the 19th Party Branch of the DESS Graduate Program in executing the red education initiative. "Journey of Ten Thousand Miles to Commemorate the Centennial Party History”. Additionally, Zhao Jianqiao facilitated and organized various activities, including the “Lingyan Project," Faculty-Student Joint Thematic Party Day, and regular meetings of party branch secretaries. As a dedicated class assistant, Zhao Jianqiao consistently works hard, actively engages in classroom activities, enthusiastically serves her classmates, and assists them in addressing inquiries pertaining to doctoral examinations and research topic initiation. Furthermore, she facilitates the coordination and organization of dormitory relocations and class team building endeavors. In her capacity as the director of the department's news center, she assumes the responsibilities of photojournalism and spearheaded the WeChat official account series titled “Qingxin Dixue”, publishing over 100 articles. Meanwhile she diligently plans the Teachers' Day theme activities and publicizes departmental activities, contributing significantly to the promotion of “Fascinating Tsinghua, Wonderful DESS”.

Zhao Jianqiao hosts the New Year's Party of the DESS

The working experience as a “dual-role” counselor has offered comprehensive training for Zhao Jianqiao, with her teamwork spirit and communication skills further cultivated. Confronted with myriad challenges, her resilience in withstanding pressure and problem-solving proficiency have notably enhanced. Reflecting on these experiences, Zhao Jianqiao expressed profound emotions, asserting that her work as a “dual-role” counselor significantly fostered her sense of accountability, laying a robust foundation for her future endeavors.

Zhao Jianqiao participated in the “Lingyan Project” in Mount Jinggang

Social Practices and Academic Exchanges

Research endeavors transcend the confines of the laboratory; their true essence resides in delving deeply into life's realities and practical applications. Zhao Jianqiao, in her social practice in Xiqiao Town, Foshan City, has profoundly understood the necessity for scientific research to be grounded in practice and the field. In midsummer, she and her classmates ventured to the western bank of Xiqiao Town on numerous occasions, braving the scorching sun to inspect the status of forest resources, ancient and notable trees, as well as their fire prevention measures, within the mountainous terrain. Their efforts culminated in recommendations for an urban-town tripartite collaborative construction project. Despite the arduousness of the process, this experience furnished her practical endeavors with meticulous data support and a solid scientific foundation, fostering a tenacious and persevering spirit. Notably, the pressing need for forest conservation in the western coastal region brought into sharp focus the practical relevance of her field of study, profoundly illuminating the significance of research outcomes in guiding practice and resolving tangible issues.

Regarding academic exchange and collaboration, Zhao Jianqiao steadfastly embraces the notion of eclecticism and mutual learning, actively engaging in exchanges and cooperative endeavors with both intra- and inter-group students. She adeptly incorporates knowledge and expertise spanning diverse disciplines, thereby maximizing the interdisciplinary strengths inherent within the DESS. Zhao Jianqiao holds a conviction that interdisciplinary dialogue fosters the germination of novel research ideas and facilitates the transcendence of scientific research barriers. To further her academic pursuits, she embarked on a year-long joint training program at University College London and participated in international conferences specializing in ecology. Throughout this collaborative training program, she actively contributed to various academic presentations and seminars, engaging in profound discussions with esteemed experts and scholars from across the globe. These interactions yielded invaluable insights and recommendations, significantly broadening her academic horizons. Moreover, they underscored the paramount importance of collision of thoughts and the diversity of perspectives in driving research and innovation forward.

Zhao Jianqiao attends international conferences in London and Edinburgh.

Time flies, but during these five years, the role models and an open and inclusive style of study in the DESS have left a deep impression on Zhao Jianqiao. In the years to come, she will continue to uphold the university motto of “Self-Discipline and Social Service”, seeking wisdom, pursuing the truth, cultivating virtue, fostering scholarship, and staying true to her lofty aspiration.

by Zhao Jianqiao