08 Dec 2025
Dr. Ankit Garg, an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (HES) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), recently concluded a series of impactful academic engagements across China. He delivered keynote and invited lectures at several prestigious international forums, fostering profound intellectual exchange and strengthening global collaborations. His journey wove a cohesive narrative of shared scientific pursuit from Xuzhou to Nanjing and Shantou.
Dr Garg delivering lecture at 24th Pacific Science Congress ?held at Shantou, Guangdong, China
His journey commenced in Xuzhou at the 2nd Yunlong Lake - Loch Lomond Symposium & 4th Deep Underground Science and Engineering Frontier Forum. This significant gathering convened esteemed academicians and leading scientists from the UK, Japan, China, and Australia. Dr. Garg delivered a keynote lecture titled, "The Role of AI in Analysing the Thermal Performance of Biochar-Amended Soils,” which explored the application of AI-based modeling to advance geothermal energy systems.
Dr Garg receiving honor for delevering lecture at 2nd?Yunlong Lake - Loch Lomond Symposium & 4th?Deep Underground Science and Engineering Frontier Forum
Beyond his lecture, Dr. Garg contributed to an Editorial Board meeting for the prestigious International Journal of Deep Underground Science and Engineering (JCR Q1). Additionally, he held productive discussions with Prof. Neelima Satyam (IIT Indore) and Prof. Ali (China University of Mining and Technology) to advance plans for student exchange and joint research. Following this, Prof. Satyam was invited to deliver a seminar at HES, XJTLU, where she interacted with faculty on coastal mitigation using bioremediation techniques. Dr. Garg also met with Dr. Wang of Suzhou NanZee Sensing Technology Limited (located at sSuzhou Industrial Park) to discuss avenues for joint industry-academia collaboration on advanced optical fiber sensing for infrastructure monitoring. This builds upon an existing collaboration, where NanZee Sensing Limited is already working with Dr. Garg through an XJTLU Teaching Development Fund (TDF) grant to enhance student learning.
Prof Neelima Satyam (IIT Indore) delivering seminar to faculties of HES, XJTLU
Building directly on the technical themes from Xuzhou, Dr. Garg presented an invited lecture at the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University. Hosted by Professor Honghu Zhu (a National Excellent Talent of China and Director of Human Resources at Nanjing University), this strategically important visit served to deepen institutional ties. They formalized plans for joint publications and the co-supervision of research students, a collaboration that is already taking shape with Prof. Zhu's official designation as co-supervisor for an upcoming XJTLU PhD student under Dr. Garg's primary supervision. The foundational work in underground science and engineering from Xuzhou and Nanjing provided a robust technical backdrop for Dr. Garg's subsequent participation in the high-profile 24th Pacific Science Congress in Shantou. There, he delivered a keynote lecture aligned with the congress's overarching theme, “Towards a Sustainable Future,” effectively linking specific geotechnical and energy research with broader global sustainability agendas.
The congress served as an exceptional platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, where Dr. Garg engaged with luminaries including Professor Kristofer (Director and CEO of the Bishop Museum), Professor Edwards (Harvard University; Member, US National Academy of Sciences), and Professor Shahid Naeem (Columbia University; Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science). He was also delighted to meet Professor Ashok Kumar Singhvi (Changjiang Fellow at Shantou University), further enriching his network of global expertise.
This series of international engagements was incredibly fruitful, successfully weaving together specialized research and global sustainability challenges. Dr. Garg is deeply grateful to all the organizers and colleagues for their invitations and warm hospitality as this journey of scientific collaboration continues to build momentum.Dr. Garg also extends his sincere gratitude for the steadfast support and encouragement from the HES Department , led by Professor Eben Goodale and SCI leadership, particularly Dean Prof. John Moraros, who emphasizes internationalization, Industry-Academia Interactions and high-quality research. This commitment to excellence is reflected in the recent achievement of Dr. Garg and seven other SCI faculty members, who were listed among the world's top 2% of researchers in the Stanford University ranking.
By Dr Ankit Garg
08 Dec 2025