Min

Min grew up in China with a keen awareness of the fragility of water resources. From a very early age, she was aware of the pressures on natural environments. Her family played a key role in awakening her scientific curiosity. “I was always encouraged to ask questions and understand how things work,” she says.

This love of observation and questioning has stayed with her for life. Confronted daily with environmental challenges, she gradually realised that science could be much more than an academic discipline; it could be a practical tool for societal change.

After completing a challenging undergraduate course in environmental engineering, Min went on to obtain a PhD in environmental science through a combined mater’s-doctoral programme at Zhejiang University, in a province near Shanghai. Her PhD supervisor, a specialist in the behaviour of organic pollutants in the environment, instilled in her a philosophy that has stayed with her: 'Conduct research that addresses real environmental challenges'. She focused her work on a field then largely unknown to the general public, yet one of significant scientific and societal importance: emerging pollutants, and in particular PFAS, extremely persistent substances found in many everyday products and in the environment.

“These pollutants raise fundamental questions: how can we detect the invisible, and how can we prevent long-term contamination?” she explains. This is a challenge that demands rigour, patience and perseverance, qualities that she considers to be essential for research.

In October 2024, Min joined SUEZ as a postdoctoral researcher specialising in PFAS research in Beijing. Her role lies at the heart of the Group’s research and innovation activities, with a cross-disciplinary approach covering the entire water cycle.

She strengthens the scientific understanding of these pollutants and contributes to the development of new solutions tailored to operational realities. “My role is to bridge the gap between research, on-the-ground needs, and regulatory challenges,” she summarises.

Min never describes science as a linear path. Failed experiments, constant adjustments and perseverance are all part of her daily life. “Even small steps count,” she emphasises. “Improving a method, gaining a few performance points, refining our understanding”, for her, this is how research makes concrete progress.

This pragmatic approach is accompanied by great humility. She stresses the importance of teamwork. “The complexity of environmental challenges means we must tackle them collectively. Discussions with teams, both here and internationally, are essential to overcoming obstacles”. She coordinates closely with CIRSEE, SUEZ’s water and environment research centre in France, as well as with partner universities in China and industry stakeholders.

Min’s commitment extends beyond her work at SUEZ. In her daily life, she prioritises mindful consumption and strives to minimise her environmental impact. She also maintains a strong connection with nature through hiking and photography. “Being in touch with nature, even in a park, reminds us that environmental protection is not an abstraction. It is something tangible that directly affects our lives,” she says.

When asked what she would tell her younger self on her first day at SUEZ, Min highlights the fact that she joined a company that firmly believes in the role of science in addressing environmental issues. She emphasises the importance of staying grounded and maintaining faith in the purpose of this sometimes demanding work.

Today, Min does not seek pride as an end in itself. However, she recognises the value of progress when research contributes to preserving water and public health. That is a way of grounding her work in concrete utility, beyond the scientific results themselves.

Throughout her career, Min has embodied a rigorous, patient and deeply human approach to science, staying true to SUEZ’s ambition of putting science at the service of a more sustainable future.