Wumer, a young scholar from Jinfeng Laboratory·Farooq (Pakistan):

My name is Umer Farooq. I am from Pakistan and currently working in Jinfeng Laboratory. I am a researcher in Professor Chang Zhijie’s research group. Under his guidance, we are conducting research on glioblastoma.

Umer: I'm formulating a gel, We separate different proteins based on their molecular weight. I think my job is interesting and I really enjoy experimenting.

Wei Junya: What is the most exciting moment at your job?

Umer: The most exciting thing is finding something new and interesting. Recently we made an interesting discovery. We found that genes are also involved in changes in the immune microenvironment. Preliminary experimental data also shows that targeting this gene may improve the efficacy of immunotherapy drugs.

Before coming to Chongqing, Umer Farooq studied under Professor Sui Guangchao at Northeast Forestry University and received a PhD in developmental biology. After this, he went to Canada as a laboratory supervisor at Carlo Genetics. A year ago, 34-year-old Umer ·Farooq officially joined Golden Phoenix Labs.

Wei Junya:

What made you decide to return to China and join Golden Phoenix Labs?

Umer:

I want to focus more on cancer research. As I said before, China invests very heavily in cancer research and development. Later, I accidentally learned about the research results of Professor Chang Zhijie, which made me even more eager to continue my research work and scientific career under his guidance. Of course, the advanced technology and experimental equipment here, as well as the high-quality scientific research environment in the laboratory, also deeply attracted me. This is also an important reason that prompted me to come to China, come to Chongqing, and join Jinfeng Laboratory.

Umer: Our laboratory is equipped with very advanced experimental equipment. This is a flow cytometer. We use it to detect different cell subpopulations. This is another instrument, a mass spectrometer. We use it to perform proteomic analyses.

Wei Junya:

I heard that you were successfully approved for Chongqing’s “PhD Express” project in 2025 and published three SCI papers.

Umer:

Yes. For most researchers, it has always been our dream to devote ourselves to cancer research, find ways to help patients, and develop cancer treatments. The Chongqing Municipal Government and High-tech Zone have created a great atmosphere for scientific research. I think this is very attractive to everyone, attracting everyone to come to Chongqing to pursue their dreams, especially scientific research ideals and goals, and to achieve outstanding scientific research achievements here.

Umer:

My first impression of Chongqing is that it is a city full of vigor and vitality, surrounded by green mountains and green waters, and has profound historical relics and cultural accumulation. I think it's all really amazing.

Umer:

I have often heard stories of China-Pakistan friendship since I was a child, watched many Chinese movies, and met many Chinese people there. I always watched old movies at that time, such as those by Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. When watching these movies and listening to Chinese, I was full of curiosity, especially hoping that I could understand Chinese.

Wei Junya:

That's your first impression of China.

Umer:

My first impression of China is that the Chinese have always been very friendly to the Pakistani people, and they work really hard. These are the stories we hear from our teachers. When I was in school, teachers would always talk about how the Chinese built projects such as tunnels and roads, and how hardworking the people there were. Compared to Pakistan and Canada, I feel that the pace of life here is much faster and every aspect is particularly convenient. Public services are very accessible and everything happens quickly. For example, if you go to a clinic for a check-up, you can see a doctor soon. If you want to buy something or order something, it can be delivered immediately.

Umer:

This card is really easy to use and makes life very convenient, especially when going to the pharmacy to buy medicines or go to the clinic for treatment. And now there is no need to carry various documents and cards with you. All functions are integrated into this card, which is very convenient to carry around.

Wei Junya: You just said that you feel more like a Chinese.

Umer: Because I have long been adapted to Chinese culture and food, and I have gradually understood the culture here. I know and get to know more people here than anywhere else.

Wei Junya: Do you know "Batie"?

Umer: Yes, I know, "Pakistan Iron", the strong friendship between Pakistan and China.

  

This year is the fourth Spring Festival that Umer has spent in China. He specially invited his good friends to come to his home to have a reunion dinner together.

Umer:

In Pakistan we have two Eids. I think it has something in common with the Chinese Spring Festival, that is, families get together, share delicious food with relatives and friends, and everyone gets together to spend quality time.

Wei Junya: What are you going to do today?

Umer: This is beef, this is beef, and then this is chicken. This one has Pakistani masala added. This one is very spicy. These two have different flavors because I used different masala.

Wei Junya: Masala is often used in Pakistani cooking?

Umer: Yes, it is often used. Some people like spicy food, so they can use masala. Many of us like rice, one kind of rice, and for that rice we use this one, masala. This one is also very spicy.

Wei Junya: So Pakistani food is very spicy. (Yes, it’s very spicy) So when you come to Chongqing, you are very used to the spicy food here.

Umer: Yes, I’m very used to it, and I also like Chongqing’s spicy food.

Umer:

I have made many good friends here, and I especially like getting along with local friends. Chongqing people are very warm and friendly to others. I like spicy food and I often go to eat hot pot with my friends.