Dr. Fan Xinjian is an esteemed associate professor and master’s supervisor specializing in water conservancy and hydropower engineering. He currently serves as the Director of the Department of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering at Lanzhou University of Technology. A graduate with a Ph.D. in Engineering from the Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Dr. Fan has significantly contributed to the academic and professional landscape of hydraulic engineering in China. With a research portfolio spanning over 50 national, provincial, and enterprise-level projects, his work has brought forth practical solutions to some of the field’s most complex problems, including high arch dam flood discharge and energy dissipation mechanisms. As a dedicated educator, he integrates scientific research with hands-on learning experiences for students, having led numerous teaching and innovation projects. His contribution is well-recognized through various awards and honors in both research and teaching. Dr. Fan’s expertise in ecological hydraulics, computational hydraulics, and sediment dynamics makes him a leading authority in his field. His profile is a model of how academic leadership, research excellence, and practical application can come together to support national infrastructure and environmental goals, making him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Fan Xinjian holds a Doctorate in Engineering from the prestigious Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute. His advanced education laid a strong foundation in the theoretical and applied aspects of water resources and hydraulic engineering. At the doctoral level, he received specialized training in computational and ecological hydraulics, river basin management, sediment transport dynamics, and energy dissipation mechanisms. His academic training was reinforced with hands-on research experience, equipping him to tackle real-world engineering problems with a research-driven approach. Dr. Fan’s formal education combined rigorous academic coursework with practical application, which played a key role in developing his expertise in high-head hydropower systems, open channel flow analysis, and hydraulic structure optimization. The interdisciplinary exposure during his Ph.D. has enabled him to effectively bridge theory and practice, particularly in hydrological modeling, flow dynamics, and flood risk mitigation. His educational background continues to inform his ongoing research, teaching, and innovation work, as he trains the next generation of hydraulic engineers. His ability to translate complex hydraulic theories into practical designs and policies is a direct reflection of the quality of education he received and the dedication he has shown throughout his academic journey.
Professional Experience
Dr. Fan Xinjian brings over two decades of academic and research experience in hydraulic and water resources engineering. He serves as the Director of the Department of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering at Lanzhou University of Technology. He also leads the provincial experimental teaching demonstration center and coordinates the Hongliu First-Class Major in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering. His professional journey includes leadership of more than 50 national and provincial-level projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation, National Science and Technology Support Plan, and international cooperative research initiatives. Dr. Fan is a member of key professional bodies such as the Chinese Hydraulic Society, the Gansu Hydraulic Society, and the Chinese Hydropower Engineering Society. In his academic capacity, he has developed and delivered core undergraduate and graduate-level courses, including “Introduction to Water Conservancy Engineering” and “Hydraulic Structures.” He has also supervised numerous graduation theses, practical internships, and student design projects. His leadership in project management, educational innovation, and engineering applications exemplifies a strong blend of research, teaching, and community engagement. Dr. Fan’s professional experience highlights his comprehensive understanding of the hydraulic engineering landscape, making him a well-respected figure in both academic and engineering circles.
Research Interest
Dr. Fan Xinjian’s primary research interests lie in the fields of computational hydraulics, ecological hydraulics, hydraulic structures, and river basin sediment dynamics. His research is driven by the need to address real-world water conservancy challenges, especially in mountainous terrains and regions with high-head dams. One of his key interests is the study and optimization of flood discharge and energy dissipation systems for large-scale hydropower structures. He has made significant contributions to this area through research on the Jinping I high arch dam and Longkoukou dam systems. His work extends to understanding the interactions between water and vegetation in open channels, particularly under the influence of submerged flexible vegetation. This research sheds light on resistance, flow patterns, and sediment transport—critical elements for ecological conservation and hydraulic modeling. He is also keenly interested in developing digital simulation systems that integrate ecological and engineering hydraulics for better river management. These interests align closely with the pressing global issues of sustainable water infrastructure, flood management, and river ecosystem restoration. Dr. Fan’s multi-disciplinary approach enables him to contribute novel insights and engineering solutions that combine hydrodynamics, environmental science, and computational modeling.
Research Skills
Dr. Fan Xinjian possesses a broad range of research skills that enable him to approach hydraulic engineering problems from both theoretical and applied perspectives. He is highly proficient in computational modeling and simulation, which he uses to analyze complex water flow and energy dissipation systems. His skills include the development of numerical models to assess flood discharge, turbulence, and sediment transport in both natural and engineered waterways. He is adept at laboratory-based experimental research, having led physical modeling studies on high-velocity flow and bottom plate energy dissipation devices. In addition, Dr. Fan is skilled in data analysis, using modern hydraulic measurement tools and statistical software to interpret flow dynamics and optimize hydraulic structures. He also has experience in drafting technical reports, scientific papers, and patent documentation. With strong collaborative abilities, he has coordinated interdisciplinary projects involving engineers, ecologists, and government agencies. His grant writing skills have helped secure major national and provincial funding. Dr. Fan’s mentorship abilities further amplify his research capacity, as he actively involves students in experimentation, fieldwork, and competitions. His wide-ranging skill set allows him to produce high-impact research with direct applications in dam safety, environmental conservation, and water resource management.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Fan Xinjian has received multiple prestigious awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to research and teaching in hydraulic engineering. His research has been honored with three first prizes and one second prize from the Gansu Water Conservancy Science and Technology Progress Awards, reflecting the practical impact and innovation of his work. In the educational domain, he has secured two second prizes in provincial and ministerial teaching achievement awards, in addition to a third prize in the National University Teachers’ Teaching Innovation Competition. His recognition extends to intellectual property as well, with three national invention patents, five utility model patents, and one software copyright, showcasing his inventive and solutions-oriented research approach. Beyond formal awards, Dr. Fan has earned distinctions such as the Teaching Excellence Award, Graduation Design Outstanding Instructor Award, Teaching Quality Excellence Award, and the Three Education Awards. He has also led student teams to win more than 20 national and provincial science and technology innovation competitions, highlighting his excellence in student mentorship. These accolades not only affirm his research excellence but also his holistic contributions to education, innovation, and professional development in hydraulic engineering.
Conclusion
Dr. Fan Xinjian exemplifies the profile of a high-impact researcher and educator whose work bridges theoretical research and real-world application. His expertise in hydraulic and ecological engineering has led to significant advancements in the understanding and management of complex water systems, particularly in flood control and sediment transport. With more than 50 national and provincial research projects under his leadership or participation, he has developed practical engineering solutions that have been applied to iconic structures such as the Jinping I high arch dam. His recognition through numerous awards and patents highlights his influence and innovation. Furthermore, his dedication to student mentorship and educational excellence reflects his commitment to shaping the next generation of engineers. Through his administrative roles and academic leadership, he contributes actively to national capacity-building in hydraulic engineering. His profile presents a rare integration of research, teaching, and leadership, making him a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Dr. Fan’s continued contributions are expected to further advance the development of sustainable and intelligent water infrastructure in China and beyond.