On October 23, 2025, the School of Public Health at Nanchang University hosted the 16th Nanchang University Graduate Qianhu "Yan" Lecture - Mentor Forum (Session 189) together with the Weidao Forum (Sessions 2 & 3) at the Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Qianhu Campus. The event was organized by the University Graduate Work Department and the Graduate Union, and co-hosted by the School of Public Health and its Graduate Union. More than 100 faculty members and students attended.

The forum featured keynote presentations by Prof. Yuan'an Lu, Director of the Environmental Health Laboratory at the University of Hawaii, and Dr. Lingjun Li, Joint Principal Investigator at the Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences and faculty member at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.

Prof. Yuan'an Lu Discuss Global Trends in Infection Prevention and Control

Prof. Lu delivered a lecture titled "Infection Prevention & Control: Global Status and Future Directions". He examined major global challenges in infectious diseases control, including the characteristics of emerging and re-emerging infections, the complexity of outbreak containment, and the long-term public health impact of pandemics. He highlighted that zoonotic transmission, limited early information, and the interaction of biological, environmental, and social factors all contribute to the growing risk of global outbreaks.

Looking ahead, Prof. Lu emphasized that although future pandemics cannot be precisely predicted, proactive preparedness can significantly reduce their impacts. He reviewed the current implementation of the WHO Global Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) initiatives and outlined four key priorities: strengthening national IPC systems, improving infrastructure, sustaining surveillance and response capacity, and enhancing research and workforce training. He also noted that minimizing exposure remains one of the most direct and effective protective measures during pandemics.

Dr. Lingjun Li Explores the Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Gestational Diabetes

Dr. Li presented a lecture titled "Screening and Monitoring in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus with Continuous Glucose Monitoring: Are We There Yet?". She discussed the rising global prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its long-term health implications for both mothers and offspring, including increased risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental challenges.

Dr. Li examined the limitations of the traditional Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), such as delayed detection and limited suitability for diverse populations. She highlighted the advantages of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), which provides dynamic, real-time glucose data and shows strong potential for early GDM detection and prediction of adverse outcomes. She also introduced her team's ongoing GDM-MAPS (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Multi-system Assessment Project), which aims to expand CGM applications through cross-population validation, multi-omics integration, AI-assisted analysis, and long-term intergenerational health tracking.

Engaged Discussion and Academic Exchange

During the Q&A session, faculty members and students engaged actively with both speakers. Prof. Lu also shared reflections on his academic career path, encouraging students to set clear goals and pursue sustained research efforts. Dr. Li welcome further communication with students interested in her research area.

The forum provided a valuable platform for academic exchange with internationally recognized scholars and fostered deeper engagement with emerging topics in public health research. The School will continue to invite leading experts from around the world to support the development of globally oriented and innovation-driven public health talent.