【Article by Office of International Cooperation】

On September 4, Nobel Laureate Arieh Warshel, his wife, and Dr. Yael Warshel visited NCCU at the University’s invitation for a series of academic exchanges. Professor Arieh Warshel was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2013. He is currently Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Southern California (USC), where his research has long focused on computer simulations of large molecules and biological systems, multiscale modeling, and enzymatic reactions. Dr. Yael Warshel is a Visiting Scholar at the International Migration Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research interests include international media, children in conflict, peace communication, forced migration, and human rights.

Rethinking the Role of Media Through the Experiences of Children in Conflict Zones

The visit began with a special lecture by Dr. Yael Warshel, hosted by NCCU’s College of Communication. Dean Hsiu-Hui Sun delivered the welcoming remarks, while Professor Yi-Huei Cheng, Director of the International Master’s Program in International Communication Studies, moderated the event. In her lecture, titled “When Conflict Is Real: Reimagining the Study of Children, Media in and Conflict from Across the Middle East and Africa”, Dr. Warshel examined the relationship between children and media in conflict-affected areas and highlighted the role media can play in peacebuilding. Dean Sun noted that children in conflict should not be viewed solely as victims, but also as individuals with the capacity to express their voices, take action, and contribute to building peace.

Interdisciplinary Dialogue Across Physics, AI, and Neuroscience

The visit continued with an academic roundtable featuring Professor Arieh Warshel, NCCU President Tsai-Yen Li, Vice President for Research and Development Shih-Hsun Hsu, Vice President for International Cooperation Mei-Fen Chen, and faculty members from across the University. During the discussion, NCCU scholars from different disciplines presented their research and exchanged views with Professor Warshel on research methodologies and potential interdisciplinary connections. Distinguished Professor Chih-Kai Yang of the Graduate Institute of Applied Physics opened the discussion with his research related to nanomaterials. Professor Jia-Ming Chang, Director of the Bachelor’s Program in AI Applications, introduced research integrating three-dimensional genomics with artificial intelligence, demonstrating the application of AI to bioinformatics and complex data analysis. Professor Ming-Huan Chan, Chair of the Graduate Institute of Neuroscience, and Professor Shao-Kuan Chen also shared their work on NMDA receptors and neuroinflammation, respectively, highlighting NCCU’s growing research capacity across fundamental science, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience. Drawing on his extensive experience in computational chemistry and biological systems, Professor Warshel shared his perspectives on multiscale modeling, coarse-grained models, and the potential applications of artificial intelligence in analyzing complex biological systems. He also exchanged views with NCCU faculty on methodological approaches and the use of computational models in different research contexts. By bringing together research in applied physics, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, the roundtable created a platform for dialogue across disciplines and opened up further possibilities for future interdisciplinary research and collaboration.