Professor YUAN Xunlai, Director of State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy (LPS) 

LPS was established in 2001 under the auspices of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MSTC). It is the only state key laboratory in China devoted to palaeontological and stratigraphical research.  

Based on MSTC’s evaluation of 37 state key labs of Earth Science in China, LPS was rated as an excellent laboratory in 2015. This is the fourth consecutive evaluation (following those of 2000, 2005 and 2010) to rate the laboratory as excellent. 

Currently, LPS has 45 staff members including five technicians and a secretary. Among 38 research scientists, there are three CAS Academicians, three PIs of the“ 973 National Basic Research Projects” supported by MSTC, five recipients of the National Distinguished Young Scientist Award granted by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and two NSFC Exceptional Innovation Research Groups. Many of the scientists have active roles in professional organizations, both at home and abroad.

In the last 15 years, staff of LPS have published more than 1600 research papers, among which 24 were published in Science or Nature. They have won one first prize and two second prizes of the National Natural Science Awards and have seven achievements rated as Top 10 News Stories in Basic Research or Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs in China.

The work of LPS is supported by modern facilities for cutting-edge palaeontological and stratigraphical research, equipment including a Micro-CT, scanning electron microscope (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscope, genetic analyzer, MAT253 stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer, DELTA V isotope ratio mass spectrometer, TSQ Quantum GC gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), ICP-MASS

spectrometer, ICP-OES spectrograph and laser ablation system.