Dr Nick Evans awarded prestigious Pilkington Prize

BEng PhD
Zixing is a machine learning researcher specializing in graph data mining with applications across multiple disciplines. His current research interests are centered on deep generative models in molecular science, emphasizing the development of structure-based drug design.
Zixing received his Bachelor of Engineering from Southeast University in China, majoring in Computer Science. He then moved to Hong Kong and continued his academic journey at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he completed his doctoral studies in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
During his PhD, he conducted novel research focusing on the theoretical foundations of label-efficient learning on graph-structured data. This innovative framework demonstrates significant potential for interdisciplinary applications, with promising implications for social science, financial science, and material science research.
Currently, he works as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge where he continues to push the boundaries of machine learning. Simultaneously, his Junior Research Fellowship at Wolfson College underscores his commitment to advancing deep generative models, particularly in the emerging field of molecular science.
Zixing's current research focuses on advancing structure-based drug design through innovative deep generative models, particularly diffusion models. He aims to propose interdisciplinary approaches that bridge computational chemistry, generative AI, and molecular biology to develop more effective and efficient drug discovery methods.
His primary research objective centres on leveraging advanced deep generative models to generate and optimize molecular structures with potential therapeutic properties. Zixing investigates advanced geometric machine learning models and diffusion models for predicting protein-ligand interactions by incorporating the additional symmetry-based inductive bias.
By combining popular generative AI techniques with molecular science, his research aims to accelerate the identification and development of potential therapeutic compounds, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with traditional drug discovery processes with a huge impact.
Visit Wolfson's latest exhibition 'Feel the Rhythm' featuring work by emerging artist Fungai Benhura, winner of the Wolfson Royal Academy Schools Graduate Prize.
As part of Wolfson’s 60th Anniversary celebrations, the College Choir and Alumni Choir, directed by Lyn Alcántara, present an evening of choral works inspired by the fantastical.
Graduation ceremonies are the culmination of students’ hard work and commitment, and a moment to celebrate the completion of their Cambridge degree.
Film screening of BBC Panorama Special: Saving Syria’s Children (55min) followed by panel discussion and Q&A.
In celebration of its 60th anniversary year, Wolfson College is proud to be holding a black tie dinner at London’s exclusive Mansion House, courtesy of the Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, the son of Wolfson’s former Bursar, Jack King.