Zheng Ji

Zheng Ji was a Chinese biochemist and nutritionist who was reputed to be the world's oldest professor and the founder of modern nutrition science in China. He graduated from Tsinghua University in 1923 and obtained his PhD from the University of Munich in 1927. He returned to China in 1930 and established the Department of Physiological Chemistry in the Biological Laboratory of the Science Society of China. He also served as a professor and the director of the Department of Biochemistry in the Medical School of National Central University and Nanjing Medical University. He was a pioneer in the study of human nutrition, metabolism, and aging. He conducted many experiments on the effects of diet, vitamins, minerals, hormones, and enzymes on health and longevity. He also developed various nutritional supplements and formulas for different groups of people, such as infants, pregnant women, soldiers, and astronauts. He was awarded the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award in 2005, which is the nation's highest scientific prize, and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences Living Legend Award in 2009. He was also a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He died in 2010 at the age of 110 and was honored as a pioneer, a visionary, and an inspiration to many.