India-born US citizen drives research into light at sanctioned Chinese school
“Science has no borders,” Arup Neogi, an India-born scientist who works at a US-sanctioned university, told Chinese state media. Neogi’s speciality is photonics, the study of generating, controlling and detecting light. At the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in the southwestern city of Chengdu, he leads a team exploring the interconnection between light and sound.…
Arup Neogi, an India-born scientist now residing in the United States, is conducting research at a university in China that is sanctioned by the US government. Neogi, whose expertise is in photonics – the study of generating, controlling and detecting light, leads a team at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in Chengdu.
The university, which boasts one of China's top electronics and communication programs, has been on the US "Entity List" since 2012. The listing was a result of accusations that the institution served as a proxy for the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, previously sanctioned due to its involvement in China's nuclear program.
Born in India, Neogi holds two doctorates – one from India and the other from Japan. He worked in the US for around two decades before becoming an American citizen in 2014. It was during this time that he began collaborating with UESTC and eventually joined the university full-time in 2022.
Reflecting on his experience working in China, Neogi told Chinese state media, "Science has no borders." He emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing global challenges like climate change.
His team at UESTC is working on developing photonic chips and nanophotonics, with a focus on manipulating sound using light for deep-sea communications and ultrasound imaging. For his significant contributions to China's development, Neogi was awarded the prestigious China Government Friendship Award in 2024.
His efforts extend beyond scientific research. Neogi has been instrumental in cultivating China's optical expertise by helping the university enroll several overseas researchers, assisting Chinese students in studying abroad, Chinese teachers in applying for international programs, and Chinese teachers in attending international conferences.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
