South American biomedical engineer fosters international collaboration with China

With a cascade of naturally coiled hair, Shenzhen-based Christian Andreé Virrueta Montalvo (or Liu Bohan to his colleagues) offers a handshake. He dispenses with the customary pleasantries: "Just call me Liu Gong (Engineer Liu)."

"Liu Gong" is a common way Chinese people address individuals surnamed Liu, especially those in skilled blue-collar professions. It carries a sense of familiarity and friendliness. It’s a surprise to hear this from an individual whose origins lay far from these shores – Peru, to be exact.

Christian's four years in China reflects a deeper assimilation of cultures between these two nations. "We roll up our sleeves and work with added energy," he says, summing up his ethos in a single sentence.

From the sprawling city of Lima, the vibrant capital of Peru, to the dynamic embrace of Shenzhen, Christian's path tells a story of both individual ambition and global connection. As the doors of BGI Genomics, a world’s leading biotech company, open to him, it's not just a job that beckons – it's a role that knits together science, technology, and international collaboration, aligning with the ideals of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

As a Field Service Engineer (FSE) at BGI Genomics, Christian plays a vital role in enhancing health outcomes worldwide. His responsibilities extend beyond the mechanics of next-generation sequencing equipment, automation machinery, and point-of-care testing instruments. Through his training in Shenzhen, he becomes a conduit for knowledge exchange, conducting training sessions and offering comprehensive support for clients across the globe.

Christian's journey through medical science and engineering began as a spark during his high school years in Lima. However, this pursuit wasn't without its hurdles. Peru lacked a formal course in biomedical engineering, but Christian was determined and pursued a bachelor's degree in automation and electronics engineering in Spain while looking to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.

China's allure, with its bustling laboratories and cutting-edge genetic technology applications, soon captured Christian's attention. He embarked on a new chapter, enrolling at China's Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where his fascination with biotechnology flourished. He also marvelled at the nation's strides in scientific discovery.

His journey culminated in a pivotal decision – to find a job within China to further apply himself and contribute to global scientific applications. With BGI Genomics, Christian found himself in a company which was born global and can trace its roots to participation in the Human Genome Project, a landmark global scientific effort to generate the first sequence of the human genome involving researchers from the U.S, the U.K, Japan, France, Germany, China and others.

Working in a cross-cultural environment is challenging for most. Christian acknowledges this as well, noting "Chinese isn't my native language, training sessions can be challenging. The majority of training materials and documentation are in Chinese." He received support from trainers and his team, who provided greater flexibility to allow him digest information in a foreign language.

Now, Christian gets to tap into this new-found expertise to contribute to better health outcomes in Latin America. In early 2023, he travelled back to Brazil and Argentina, where he collaborated with partners and clients for three months. Reflecting on this experience, he remarked, "South America is actively adopting omics and precision technologies to enhance health outcomes through cancer screening. Our partners are very pleased to meet a Spanish-speaking engineer from a Chinese company that can assist them in this journey."

In Christian's story, the BRI finds a microcosm—a testament to the impact of international collaboration and the unifying power of education and innovation, a testament to the boundless potential of human connections in a world collaborating without boundaries.

Written by Mia Zhao

About BGI Genomics

BGI Genomics, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is the world's leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. In July of 2017, as a subsidiary of BGI Group, BGI Genomics (300676.SZ) was officially listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.