Nick Y. Larsen's China experience goes beyond academic pursuits. It has become a journey of personal growth and cultural enrichment.

It began in 2014 when the Danish student came to China to do his Master's in neuroscience and neuroimaging.

The path to China

Larsen became interested in neuroscience during his undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering when he worked on a training program for children with cerebral palsy. This experience made him keen to understand the complexities of the brain.

However, when he searched for a Master's program in neuroscience in Denmark, he found none. Instead he discovered a unique opportunity: a new program had been established in collaboration with China at the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC) at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Aarhus University.

"The idea of joining a class with both international and Chinese students really appealed to me, especially since I'm half Chinese. It felt like the perfect opportunity to not only pursue my dream education but also experience living in China for a while," Larsen told Science and Technology Daily (S&T Daily).

After his Master's, he continued his studies as a PhD candidate. He says his experience in China has enriched his scientific knowledge and enabled him to experience the fusion of Chinese and Danish cultures, showing the power of international collaboration and cross-cultural exchange in shaping both personal and academic growth.

"Researching in both China and Denmark has taught me to merge the strengths of each environment. China is driven by high productivity and cutting-edge facilities, while Denmark fosters open collaboration and values feedback," Larsen elaborated.

Unraveling mental health mysteries

For his PhD, Larsen worked with donated brain tissue from people with schizophrenia, depression and healthy controls. "I used various image processing techniques, including AI, to detect nerve cells under the microscope — those AI techniques were similar to the technologies used in autonomous cars to recognize cars and pedestrians," he explained.

His research revealed that individuals suffering from schizophrenia and depression had fewer pyramidal neurons, which are critical for brain communication. This fundamental research, published in Translational Psychiatry (Springer Nature, 2022), provides valuable insights that could eventually lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatments for mental health conditions.

Larsen attributes his project success to the collaboration between the Chinese and Danish institutions under the SDC program. "For my PhD project, we needed to use a specialized machine. There are only a few of them in the whole world. There was one in China but none in Denmark and Europe. On the other hand, the medical setup and access to patients' donated brain samples were things I couldn't have managed in China alone," he said.

Larsen said his supervisors were always approachable and ready to help when he faced challenges, whether it was troubleshooting experiments or discussing new ideas. Combining resources and expertise from China and Denmark made his project possible and advanced the work.

His Chinese supervisor Dr. Sun Fei, chief researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the SDC provides opportunities for teachers from both China and Denmark to collaborate on research projects.

Sun said students from Denmark bring a different culture and ideas. Also, Chinese students have the chance to go to study in Denmark, which can enrich their life experiences.

Cultural enrichment and growth

Larsen cherishes the dynamic and diverse research environment at SDC, which hosts students from seven different Master's programs. This diversity enabled him to interact with peers from various backgrounds and experiences, broadening his perspective in ways he had not anticipated.

He also values the teaching styles of both the Danish and Chinese educators, which fostered a collaborative learning atmosphere and enriched his academic experience.

For Larsen, there are a lot of memorable moments at SDC, such as the inauguration of the SDC building in 2017 attended by Danish crown prince Feredrik X, who is now the king of Denmark, and celebrating the Chinese New Year with his lab team, which provided him with a sense of belonging and connection to his roots.

For future students considering similar paths in international study and research, Larsen emphasizes the importance of building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, seeking guidance from mentors, and maintaining curiosity and flexibility.

Sino-Danish sci-tech cooperation

Larsen's story is a part of the larger China-Denmark partnership, with growing ties and collaboration. In 2025, the two nations will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations which has expanded to diverse sectors today, including sustainable development, and joint efforts to tackle global challenges such as climate change.

Danish expert Troels Skrydstrup, a prominent figure in Denmark's scientific community, emphasizes that addressing climate change requires global collaboration: "To solve environmental challenges, we need a united global effort," he said in a recent interview with S&T Daily.

As a professor at Aarhus University and the current head of the Danish Carbon Dioxide Activation Center, Skrydstrup has initiated many collaborations with Chinese scientists to achieve shared environmental goals. His pioneering work on CO2 activation and sustainable energy solutions is crucial to Denmark's green transition.

His optimism about the joint role China and Denmark can play in this endeavor is evident. "Both countries have made ambitious commitments, and while we may not have all the technologies yet, our collaboration can help us achieve these targets faster," he said.

One of the most important areas of Sino-Danish collaboration is the Green Joint Work Programme for 2023-2026 to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, CO2 emission reduction and energy transition. It reflects both nations' shared vision of leading the world in sustainable development.

Skrydstrup is particularly impressed by China's leadership in this area. "China is probably the most active country in sustainable development today. It's a global leader in renewable energy, especially solar and wind power," he said. With its rapidly advancing infrastructure and forward-thinking policies, China is well-positioned to be a key player in the global sustainability movement. "China can scale up technologies very quickly, which is exciting for scientists," he added.

Skrydstrup and Larsen exemplify how cross-border cooperation can drive innovation, enrich academic experiences, and address global challenges.

This article is written in cooperation with the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.