Columbia Chemistry Receives $21.5 Million Gift from Alumni Dr. Ge Li and Dr. Ning Zhao

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July302020

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Columbia Chemistry Receives $21.5 Million Gift from Alumni Dr. Ge Li and Dr. Ning Zhao

The Department of Chemistry proudly announces a generous gift of $21.5 million from alumni Dr. Ge Li (Ph.D, ’94) and Dr. Ning Zhao (Ph.D., ’95) to advance research and teaching. Dr. Li’s and Dr. Zhao’s gift marks one of the largest gifts to the sciences on the Morningside campus in the history of Columbia University.

Through their gift, the Department of Chemistry will create two endowed professorships with start-up funds for their laboratories, an endowed fellowship for graduate students and an endowed scholarship for undergraduate students concentrating in chemistry.

Dr. Li and Dr. Zhao received their Ph.D. in Chemistry degrees with specializations in organic chemistry from the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University. In 2000, Dr. Li founded WuXi AppTec, a worldwide provider of research, development and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Dr. Li is Chairman and CEO. Dr. Zhao is a member of the board, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources at WuXi AppTec, and President of the Ge Li & Ning Zhao Family Foundation.

“As graduates of Columbia in chemistry, Dr. Li and Dr. Zhao know firsthand the importance of nurturing the next generation of scientists here and pushing the frontiers of our department,” said Tomislav Rovis, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “We are deeply grateful for this unique commitment.”

Link: Columbia Chemistry Receives $21.5M Gift from Dr. Ge Li and Dr. Ning Zhao