A giant of science

Geophysicist Huang Danian scaled the heights of accomplishment in Britain before returning to China

With China continuing its rapid growth, Chinese scientists and researchers are returning home from abroad to aid their country's development. One of those who came back was the renowned Huang Danian, a geophysicist who returned seven years ago from Britain and contributed greatly to deep Earth exploration technology.

"Huang Danian's most valuable quality was his sincerity. He treated his friends well and loved his family and his motherland," says Sun Wei, a dear friend of Huang.

Huang died of bile duct cancer in January at the age of 58.

Huang Danian, a geophysicist who returned to China seven years ago from Britain and contributed greatly to deep Earth exploration technology. Photos Provided by Xinhua

In 1993, he went to study at Britain's Leeds University and earned his doctorate in geophysics, finishing at the top of his class.

"While studying in Britain, he combined his Chinese intellectual integrity with British precision," says Sun.

Despite encountering language and living difficulties in a foreign country, Huang quickly earned respect from his British professors and colleagues, thanks to his profound academic knowledge and hard work.

Roger Clark, senior lecturer at Leeds University's School of Earth and Environment, used to supervise Huang's PhD work on the quantitative analysis of gravity and magnetic field anomalies.

"As a student, he was clearly very skilled at mathematics and we enjoyed guiding him into geophysics," Clark says.

"He was certainly a very dedicated student while he was in Leeds and I heard exactly the same from colleagues in industry."

"I always knew he had the skill and energy to do well in whatever he wanted to apply himself to."

Clark expresses shock and sadness at Huang's death. "We never think or expect the students we have taught to pass away before us. ... It's a great loss, both personally and professionally."

Shortly after he obtained his doctorate, Huang joined a geophysical service company, ARKeX, in Cambridge as an advanced researcher on high resolution airborne and marine gravity gradiometry, mainly used in oil, gas and mineral resources exploration at sea and on land.

Huang's team was deemed by fellow researchers to be one of the leading research teams in mobile detection technology.

Mark Davies, president and CEO of AustinBridgeporth, worked with Huang at ARKeX for many years.

"I think Huang was an extremely talented geophysicist who pioneered many projects over the years for large independent oil companies," he says.

"He was extremely talented and knowledgeable. Not only a colleague but a true friend too," Davies adds.

During his time in Britain, Huang remained committed to China and his contact with his motherland was never broken. He would always fly to China to attend academic meetings or seminars related to his field.

According to Sun, it was not a "random choice" that brought Huang back to China to work. Nor was it a "sudden impulse".

"Danian loved science and technology," Davies says. "He never said why he wanted to go back but it was very obvious to me. China was funding high-quality science projects and he wanted to be part of it.

"I always expected Danian to excel at anything he wished to do. It does not surprise me at all."

In 2008, China launched a national recruitment program for global top talent, called the "Thousand Talent" program, as part of its efforts to become an innovation-driven economy. The program encourages overseas Chinese and foreign professionals to work in China.

Huang became one of the first to participate in the program in 2009. He gave up his position in Britain and sold his house and property to work at Jilin University in Changchun.

Upon his return, Huang was invited to be the chief scientist of a branch of China's biggest deep Earth exploration program. The program aims to install high-tech cameras on aircraft, ships and satellites that enable them to see through the Earth's crust without digging into it. Investment in his branch of the program has reached more than 300 million yuan ($43.5 million; 38.8 million euros; ￡34.1 million).

Wasting no time, Huang holed up in his office and worked day and night, with only two to three hours of sleep a day, earning him the deserved title of "workaholic".

"He doesn't take sleeping very seriously," Huang's wife, Ren Lijuan, once said.

About four months after Huang's passing, his daughter Huang Xiao told Xinhua that her family was still overcome with grief.

"Like most loving fathers, my father hoped I would study well. More important, he wanted me to grow up to be someone useful to society," she says.

"My father always wanted to serve his motherland and wanted to be a person helping others."

Huang Xiao says she was proud to know that her father's work was recognized by his homeland, and he was honored as a "sincere patriot and role model" for overseas returnees.

In May, President Xi Jinping praised Huang's work and called on the public to learn from the esteemed scientist.

"Now, with my father gone, I hope my mother can move on to enjoy the rest of her life while I raise my son well," Huang Xiao says. "That's how I can repay my father."

Xinhua

(China Daily European Weekly 06/16/2017 page18)