Prize-winning computer scientist Quan Guocong picks China post after years in US

The former Meta researcher joins Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou where he will focus on optimising network efficiencies

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Quan Guocong, an expert in caching technology and network optimisation, is now an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University in southern China. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:00pm, 6 Mar 2025

Award-winning computer scientist Quan Guocong has joined Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou in southern China as an associate professor after years of study and research in the United States.

Quan, 30, is an expert in caching technology and network optimisation. He earned his PhD from Ohio State University and was a research scientist at Meta – formerly known as Facebook – in Menlo Park, California between 2016 and 2024.

In his new role at Sun Yat-sen University’s computer science department, Quan will focus on theoretical analysis and optimisation of distributed caching systems to enable faster-loading apps, smoother video streaming, and more reliable cloud services.

According to his faculty profile, he will also apply machine learning to improve network and computing efficiency, optimise internet traffic, reduce delays, and enhance decision-making in large-scale systems.

During his doctorate studies, Quan and his Ohio State colleagues won the 2019 award for best paper at the prestigious IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications in Paris.

The paper, which explored ways of improving caching efficiency in unreliable networks such as wireless and mobile systems, was one of only three selected from more than 1,500 submissions, according to the Ohio State University website.