The Women In Marine Biotechnology Forum (WMBF), Chaired by Professor Tang Danling, a PI professor of the Guangzhou Marine Laboratory (GML), was successfully convened at APMBC. With the theme “Leading Change: Women Shaping the Future of Marine Biotechnology”, the WMBF opened with Professor Tang Danling presiding over the opening ceremony. Professor Zhang Wei, President of the Asia‑Pacific Society for Marine Biotechnology (APSMB), delivered an address at the closing ceremony. While, from September 8 to 12, 2026, the 14th Asia‑Pacific Marine Biotechnology Conference (APMBC 2026) was successfully held in Yantai, Shandong Province. During the conference,

Centering on three core themes: fostering women’s research leadership, empowering the growth of young researchers, and building international networks for women in science, the forum comprised three thematic sessions: (1) Leading Change: Women Shaping the Future of Marine Biotechnology, (2) Young Scientist: Mentorship and Career Pathways, and (3) Building the Future Network. It aimed to establish a high‑end exchange platform for female scholars in the Asia‑Pacific marine biotechnology community, support the development of women research talents, and deepen regional academic collaboration. More than 40 female scientists from over a dozen countries including Australia, Brazil, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines took part in the forum for exchanges.

The thematic sessions proceeded in an orderly manner. The first session was moderated by Professor Tang Danling. Professor Yang Chunhong from China delivered a keynote presentation, exchanging views on women’s leadership, achievements, challenges, opportunities and future prospects in marine biotechnology. The second session was moderated by Dr. Yaming Wang from Australia. Dr. Supawan Tepparin from Thailand and Professor Liu Zhiqing from China gave successive presentations, discussing mentorship, career development, professional growth and institutional support for women researchers. The third session was moderated by Professor Suvimol Charornsiddhi from Thailand. Professor EonSeon Jin from the Republic of Korea delivered a keynote talk, focusing on regional network building, collaboration, member engagement, and the establishment of the “APSMB Women’s Network for Marine Biotechnology”.

 

The successful convening of this international women’s forum has built a high‑level international exchange platform for women researchers, effectively united female scientific forces in marine biotechnology across the Asia‑Pacific region, smoothed pathways for the training and development of young female talents, and further advanced gender equality and inclusiveness in marine science and technology. It has injected vibrant female momentum into disciplinary innovation and regional research cooperation.

Key members of the South China Sea U Team from the Guangzhou Marine Laboratory (GML), including Wang Jiujuan, Chen Aiping, Wei Kangting and Chen Zhuomin, participated in the conference throughout and undertook organizational and co‑hosting responsibilities for the WMBF.

It is reported that APMBC 2026 was jointly organized by the Asia‑Pacific Society for Marine Biotechnology (APSMB) and the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Under the theme Marine BioTech for Sustainable Human–Ocean Harmony, the conference featured multiple cutting‑edge parallel sessions covering artificial intelligence and marine biotechnology, marine bioprocessing and biorefining, among others. Attracting over 380 experts and scholars from 28 countries, it is a large‑scale, high‑impact flagship academic event in the field of Asia‑Pacific marine biotechnology.