Prof. SUN Dongming and Prof. ZHANG Zhefeng from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMR, CAS), have been honored with the title of “2025 CAS Outstanding Doctoral Supervisor”. The recognition was announced recently by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with a total of 161 supervisors selected nationwide this year.

Both researchers have demonstrated exceptional commitment to graduate education and mentorship, guiding their students to achieve notable academic accomplishments.

Under the supervision of Prof. SUN Dongming, doctoral student WANG Xinzhe was awarded the CAS President’s Scholarship Special Prize, one of the highest academic honors for graduate students in the academy. Meanwhile, the doctoral dissertation of QU Zhan, supervised by Prof. ZHANG Zhefeng, was recognized as an Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation by CAS, reflecting the high quality and academic impact of the research conducted under his guidance.

The “CAS Outstanding Doctoral Supervisor” award acknowledges supervisors who have made significant contributions to cultivating high-level scientific talent, fostering innovative research, and maintaining academic excellence. The achievements of their students further highlight the effectiveness of their mentorship and the strong research training environment at IMR.