NYU Shanghai and East China Normal University are excited to announce the winners of the third annual N.E.T. Student Awards Program, for Research Excellence and Community Impact. The Research Excellence Award honors students who have made outstanding achievements in scientific research, while the Community Impact Award recognizes and encourages students’ contributions to the development of the N.E.T. Program and the broader N.E.T. community.
Launched in 2015, N.E.T. (NYU Shanghai - ECNU Joint Graduate Training Program) is a program by which students obtain an enriched graduate education through mentorship by NYU Shanghai faculty advisors and benefit from the education and research resources of both NYU Shanghai and East China Normal University. Currently, NYU Shanghai partners with 11 ECNU Schools in graduate student recruitment across 15 majors.
Award Recipients for AY2023/24
This year’s awardees embody the diverse strengths of the N.E.T. Community, reflected in their experience, areas of focus, and approach to research. From a pool of highly competitive applicants, five talented and motivated students were selected. Selection was determined by a faculty and leadership committee, in a rigorous process that began with the review of student applications and faculty recommendations, and culminated in a mini-symposium with a final oral presentation.
This year’s Award winners include:
Research Excellence Award
Ph.D. Students (In Pinyin order of the last name)

Yuping Mao, Ph.D. student of optics, Entering Class 2020
Advisor: Professor Tim Byrnes

Caoyuan Niu, Ph.D. student of Applied Psychology, Entering Class 2021
Advisor: Professor Pekka Santtila
Master's Student
Minghao Tang, master’s student of Sociology, Entering Class 2023
Advisor: Professor Xiaogang Wu
Community Impact Award

Xuechun Shen, Ph.D. student of Cognitive Neuroscience, Entering Class 2021
Advisor: Prof. Li Li

Yongjie Sun, master’s student of Applied Psychology, Entering Class 2023
Advisor: Professor Pekka Santtila
The N.E.T. Program Award Committee commends the hard work and determination that these students have demonstrated and wishes to encourage the continued success of their academic research careers. We will soon launch a N.E.T. student interview series to accompany the awards and spotlight students’ accomplishments and professional development. We are excited to share these stories with you.
Congratulations to this year’s N.E.T. Award winners!