Building Innovation through Connection
We are pleased to announce the launch of a series of collaborative research initiatives supported by the Fudan–Warwick Joint Seed Fund in 2025. These projects, set to unfold over a 12-month period, aim to cultivate innovative academic partnerships that harness the complementary expertise of both institutions. With a shared commitment to advancing scholarly excellence and generating impactful research outcomes, these initiatives exemplify our dedication to fostering global academic collaboration.
We invite you to explore the projects below to discover the diverse and dynamic activities made possible through this joint seed fund award.
Sneaking past the Brain’s Gatekeeper: A Global Effort to Improve Drug Delivery for Alzheimer’s and Brain Diseases
The brain is protected by a powerful shield called the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB). It acts like a security system, keeping harmful substances out, but unfortunately it also blocks many helpful medicines from getting in. This makes treating brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and brain cancer incredibly difficult.
This international project brings together experts in medicine, polymer chemistry, genetics, and machine learning. It builds on previous collaborations between Warwick and Fudan and includes a newly funded PhD student focused on this challenge. The goal is to unlock the principles that will allow more efficient ways to deliver life-changing treatments into the brain, making current therapeutic options better and enabling novel approaches for future drugs.
Using AI to Understand what's Beneath our FeetLink opens in a new window
A new research project is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help us better understand what’s going on underground, especially in places where we don’t have much data. This is important because what lies beneath the surface affects everything from building safety to protecting natural resources.
This project is also building a strong partnership between the two universities, with joint research, academic exchanges, and publications that could shape the future of GeoAI: AI applied to earth sciences.
International Team Reexamines Black Hole Physics Using New X-ray Data
Black holes are fascinating objects, yet their origins and how they grow by accreting mass remain deeply mysterious. One of the most straightforward ways to study them would be to take a direct image of a black hole and its immediate surroundings. However, this is an immense challenge; the nearest stellar-mass black hole is 3000 light-years away. Observing it in detail is as difficult as trying to see a virus from the distance of the Moon.
By combining advanced computer simulations with real telescope observations, the team aims to improve the way we study black holes, helping scientists plan better future missions and secure funding for new research.
Reimagining Sleep Monitoring with AI and Wearable TechLink opens in a new window
Black holes are fascinating objects, yet their origins and how they grow by accreting mass remain deeply mysterious. One of the most straightforward ways to study them would be to take a direct image of a black hole and its immediate surroundings. However, this is an immense challenge; the nearest stellar-mass black hole is 3000 light-years away. Observing it in detail is as difficult as trying to see a virus from the distance of the Moon.
By combining advanced computer simulations with real telescope observations, the team aims to improve the way we study black holes, helping scientists plan better future missions and secure funding for new research.