Hundreds of Shenzhen scientists named among world's top 2%

Hundreds of researchers from Shenzhen have been included in the 2026 Stanford/Elsevier World's Top 2% Scientists List. 

This prestigious list highlights the world’s leading scientists who have made a substantial impact in their respective fields through citation-based influence. For researchers, institutions, and science enthusiasts, it is a vital resource for recognizing excellence and tracking cutting-edge scientific contributions.

Compiled jointly by Stanford University and academic publisher Elsevier, the list identifies the top 2% of scientists worldwide based on standardized citation metrics. It evaluates research impact using both career-long and single-year citation data across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields to ensure fair and comprehensive representation. The selection metric, the composite indicator (c-score), accounts for the number of citations, co-authorship adjustments, and authorship positions, focusing on meaningful impact rather than mere productivity.

Shenzhen University had 114 researchers included on the “Career-long Citation Impact” list, with the College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering and the College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering tied for first place, each with 13 selected scholars. It had 301 researchers included on the “Single-year Citation Impact” list, spanning 15 disciplines and 53 sub-disciplinary fields, with the College of Civil and Transportation Engineering having the largest number of selected scholars, at 42.

The Southern University of Science and Technology had 138 people on the “Career-long Citation Impact” list and 242 on the “Single-year Citation Impact” list; and Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School had 31 and 50.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology also had multiple faculty members included on the lists.

A view of Shenzhen Technology University. Photo from the university

Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) has 24 scholars on the list, spanning five disciplines and 21 subdisciplines. Over the past five years, the number of SZTU scholars included in the annual scientific-impact list has grown from seven to 22, while the number recognized for their career-long scientific impact has risen from two to nine. The gains reflect the university’s steady progress in research, academic influence and talent development.

Professor Li Jian, co-founder of Pingshan-based Shenzhen Jingdan Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., also known as CrystalO Biopharma, was included in both the annual and career-long rankings. His research focuses on innovative drug discovery and molecular mechanisms. He ranked among the top 0.51% worldwide for single-year impact and the top 1.48% for career-long impact in his field, recognizing his sustained contributions to international research.

A total of 10 researchers from BGI Group were named to the “Single-Year Impact” list. Several have been included for multiple years. Yang Huanming, co-founder and chairman of BGI Group, has been named for five consecutive years, while Xu Xun, chief researcher at BGI Group, has been included for seven consecutive years since 2020. Four others — Liu Longqi, executive director of BGI Life Science Research Institute, Chen Ao, senior vice president of MGI, Sahu Sunil Kumar of BGI Life Science Research Institute, and Zhang Chi of BGI Genomics — made the list for the first time. Also named were Li Junhua and Jie Zhuye of BGI Life Science Research Institute, and Xiao Liang, chief scientist of BGI Nutrition, among others.

Researchers from Shenzhen have increased their presence on the lists in recent years. For instance, over the past five years, Shenzhen University’s total number of researchers selected for the world’s top 2% scientists list has grown from 182 to 309, while its “Career-long Citation Impact” list has grown from 57 to 114.

Apart from universities, researchers from institutions such as the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, the Shenzhen International Quantum Academy, Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital, and the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen also made the list this year.