Source: School of Earth Science and Geological Engineering
Written by: School of Earth Science and Geological Engineering
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On July 28, 2016, the Appointment Ceremony for Academician Gao Rui was held at the VIP Lounge on the third floor of the Zhongshan Building in Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). President Luo Jun issued the letter of appointment to Academician Gao Rui. Academician Zhang Peizhen, Assistant President Yang Qinghua and other leadership attended the ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by Vice President Wei Minghai.

During the ceremony, Vice President Wei Minghai, and Dean Wang Yuejun of School of Earth Science and Geological Engineering, as well as Academician Zhang Peizhen introduced the academic experience and outstanding accomplishments achieved by Academician Gao Rui. As mentioned by Academician Zhang Peizhen, Academician Gao Rui has long been focusing on integrating geology and geophysics to understand tectonics. Academician Zhang believed that, with help of Academician Gao Rui, development of Earth Science at SYSU will be greatly promoted.

Academician Gao Rui stated that SYSU is now standing at a fresh start point and is now stepping toward being in the first phalanx of domestic universities and becoming one of the top universities in the world in the way of interdisciplinary connections. That is the reason why he joined SYSU. Academician Gao is looking forward to contributing to the development of geophysics of SYSU and to elevating the academic level of earth science. Moreover, Academician Gao dedicates to establishing innovative scientific platforms of deep earth exploration and geodynamics with construction of an innovative team in marine geophysics, which will help significantly advance the study on the international frontier scientific issues and National-Key-Needs programs.

President Luo Jun expressed his respect for the industrious pursuit and impressive accomplishments achieved by Academician Gao Rui. President Luo emphasized that Earth Science at SYSU is one of the subjects that will be given more support in the future. The appointment of Academician Gao Rui will help greatly improve both international academic reputation and influence of School of Earth Science and Geological Engineering, and elevate the cultivation of high-quality talents in geosciences. All of these will provide important bases for SYSU to build the world-class disciplines. SYSU will continue to give full play to the value of leaders in all sectors. Building high-level talent teams is the priority. SYSU is currently experiencing a stage of fast development with new opportunities. As represented by Academician Gao Rui, appointment of such higher-level talents will accelerate the accomplishment of the strategic goal of SYSU in becoming a world-class university, and, in addition, will help greatly in maintaining the inherited culture of SYSU and continue the glory.

Leaderships from Publicity Department of SYSU Party Committee, President Office, Office of Scientific Research and Development, Human Resources Department, School of Earth Science and Geological Engineering also attended the ceremony.
Academician Gao Rui graduated with a master degree in Applied Geophysics from Changchun College of Geology (now Jilin University) in 1981. During the same year, he conducted research at the Geophysics Laboratory, Institute of Deposit, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. In 1985, he worked at the Deep Geology Office, Department of Earth and Minerals. Since the year of 1986, Academician Gao has been working in the Lithosphere Research Center, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. He is the director of Lithosphere Research Center. Academician Gao Rui was elected as an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Geology Department in the year of 2015. Academician Gao Rui has been conducting research on geophysics and deep geodynamics. He has contributed greatly to understanding deep processes of continent-continent collision, and seismic evidence for plate subduction, as well as the geodynamic processes for the double-normal-thickness crust of the Tibetan Plateau. The deep seismic reflection experiments that have been designed and undertaken by Academician Gao Rui and his team have been over 8000 km in length, which has contributed greatly to elevate our country to the top nations in seismic reflection exploration and deep geodynamics.