Recently, Dr. Kaydy Pinetown, Chair of the John Castaño Award Committee of The Society for Organic Petrology (TSOP), sent a congratulatory letter to President Ge Shirong, celebrating the outstanding academic achievements of Professor Dai Shifeng from our university. Professor Dai was awarded the 2021 John Castaño Award, the highest honor given by TSOP. The letter also extended congratulations to China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing for this achievement. At the 37^thTSOP Annual Meeting held in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dr. Pinetown announced the award to Professor Dai Shifeng. During the award ceremony, Dr. Pinetown highlighted Professor Dai Shifeng's career and exceptional academic accomplishments.

The John Castaño Award is the highest honor of TSOP and is a lifetime achievement award presented to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the field of organic petrology through original research, education, and leadership, significantly advancing the discipline. Typically, the award is given to one scholar each year, and this year it was jointly awarded to Professor Dai Shifeng from our university and Professor Isabel Suárez-Ruiz, a renowned organic petrologist and coal geologist from Spain. Professor Dai Shifeng is noted as the youngest scientist among past recipients of this prestigious award.