Chinese Fungal Specimens Back Home

On Nov. 7, 2009, IMCAS held the repatriation ceremony of 2278 pieces of fungal specimens from Cornell University. These precious specimens were mailed to Cornell University in 1940 by Chinese mycologist and phytobiologist Shuqun Deng to avoid war damage. Guests from Cornell University, Ministry of Education of China, IMCAS and Deng’s family witnessed the homecoming moment.

In April 2009, a Chinese government delegation led by State Councilor Yandong Liu visited Cornell University and the process of repatriating started. After nearly 70 years of stewardship by Cornell's Plant Pathology Herbarium, the specimens were carefully prepared and documented by Cornell University to ensure a safe return.

On the ceremony, State Councilor Yandong Liu delivered a message (presented by Professor Hao Ping, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education, China) to congratulate the repatriation of the fungal specimens. She expressed the appreciation of the great effort of Cornell University to keep the invaluable Chinese fungal specimens collected in different areas of China for nearly seven decades to avoid destruction in World War II. And the stewardship over years is a demonstration of the friendship between two peoples.

David Skorton, President of Cornell University said that the fungal specimens represent the friendship between our two peoples. It is a great honor to bring the fungi back to its their homeland.

Jiayang Li, Vice President of CAS and Li Huang, Executive Deputy Director-General of IMCAS accepted the specimens from the hands of President Skorton. MOU between IMCAS and Cornell University was signed to accelerate the cooperation between two sides in research and education.

The guests then attended the technical tour of Mycological Herbarium, China General Microbiological Culture Center and State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources at IMCAS.