Taipei: Chiu Mei-hung, a professor emerita at National Taiwan Normal University's (NTNU) Graduate Institute of Science Education, has been honored with a top research award from the U.S.-based National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), as announced by the university on Monday.
According to Focus Taiwan, NARST's 2026 Distinguished Contribution Through Research Award recognizes Chiu as the first scholar of Chinese descent to receive the organization's highest honor since its inception in 1928. NARST stands as the oldest and largest global academic body committed to advancing science teaching and learning through research.
NTNU highlighted in a statement that this prestigious award is given to scholars who have made sustained contributions with significant academic and societal impact. Chiu, an alumna of NTNU's chemistry program, pursued her master's and doctoral degrees at Harvard University before returning to contribute to her alma mater, ultimately retiring in 2023.
The university further emphasized that this recognition not only underscores Chiu's individual achievements but also enhances NTNU's growing international reputation in the field of science education research. During the award ceremony held in Seattle on April 20, Chiu reflected on her 41-year career, recounting her initial challenges with language barriers as a reminder that language should not constrain a scholar's global influence.
Chiu is particularly noted for her innovative work in integrating artificial intelligence with science education. Inspired by the U.S. TV series "Lie to Me," she and her research partner, Chou Chin-cheng, developed facial micro-expression recognition technology to analyze students' learning processes and conceptual changes in real-time.
In her acceptance speech, Chiu encouraged young researchers, especially those who are non-native English speakers, to remain confident and not allow language to limit their potential. "If I could start from uncertainty and eventually find my path, you can too," she stated.