On the morning of September 29, Nobel Prize-winning chemist and world-renowned biochemist, Professor Hartmut Michel, visited Beijing Normal University and delivered an academic lecture. Professor Michel is a member of several prestigious scientific academies, including the German Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of the United Kingdom, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, as well as a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. During the visit, Beijing Normal University awarded Professor Michel the title of "Honorary Professor" in recognition of his contributions to science. The university’s president, Yu Jihong, met with Professor Michel and attended the associated events.

Yu Jihong warmly welcomed Professor Michel and praised his outstanding contributions to the field of biochemistry. She emphasized that Beijing Normal University places great importance on international collaboration in research and academic exchange. The participation of Professor Michel, she noted, would bring new energy and open a new chapter in the communication and cooperation between China and Germany, particularly in the areas of talent development and academic research.

Following this, Yu Jihong presented Professor Michel with the certificate awarding him the title of "Honorary Professor." Professor Michel expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him by Beijing Normal University and looked forward to further collaboration with the university, aiming to contribute to research that benefits humanity.

After the ceremony, Professor Michel inaugurated the first session of the "BNU Master Lecture Series" with a lecture titled "The Challenges in Biomedicine and Agriculture." He delivered an insightful presentation on key research areas in biomedicine, particularly focusing on the human genome and the identification of genes that encode proteins and their functions. Professor Michel also explained the profound impact of genome sequencing on personalized medicine, genetic disease prevention, and medicine development. He emphasized the necessity of fully understanding human cellular processes, highlighting the critical role of proteomics in human health and disease. Additionally, Professor Michel explored the limitations of photosynthesis, the core process driving global food production, and discussed the potential of genetic engineering to improve photosynthetic efficiency and increase crop yields. He further reflected on the far-reaching implications of these advancements for addressing global food security and mitigating climate change. At last, Professor Michel called for the development of interdisciplinary research approaches to enhance human health and agricultural sustainability. The lecture concluded with an engaging discussion between Professor Michel and the attendees, covering topics such as improving crop resistance to antibiotics and how structural biology can support agricultural development.

The event was jointly organized by the College of Life Sciences and the College of Chemistry at Beijing Normal University. It was attended by Dou Fei, Dean of the College of Life Sciences; Mao Lanqun, Dean of the College of Chemistry; Wu Yujun, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation; and more than 200 faculty and student representatives. The event was moderated by Dou Fei.

After the event, Professor Michel and his delegation visited the School of Arts and Communication, where they enjoyed a series of impressive performances by the students.