（Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia）
Dr. Mao Yisheng(Chinese: 茅以升，January 9, 1896 – November 12, 1989) was a Chinesestructural engineer, an expert on bridgeconstruction, and a social activistin China.
Biography
Mao was born in Zhenjiang, Jiangsuprovince. He entered Jiaotong University's Tangshan Engineering College (now Southwest Jiaotong University) and earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineeringin 1916. He earned his Master's degree from Cornell Universityand earned the first Ph.D. ever granted by the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1919. His doctoral treatise entitled Secondary Stress on Frame Construction is treasured at the Hunt Libraryof Carnegie Mellon University and the university constructed his statue in his honor on campus.
Engineer
Mao was regarded as the founder of modern bridge engineering. Mao's long and productive career included designing two of the most famous modern bridges in China, the Qiantang River Bridge near Hangzhou, and the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge at Wuhan.
The Chien Tang River Bridgedesigned with his guidance is the first dual-purpose road-and-railway bridge designed and built by the Chinese themselves. He also participated in the construction of China's first modern bridge – Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge. During the construction of Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, Mao Yisheng served as chairman of the Technical Advisory Committee composed of more than 20 foreign and Chinese bridge experts, and solved 14 difficult problems relating to bridge construction.
He also led the structural design of the Great Hall of the Peoplein Beijing.
Educator
Returning to China, Mao was on the faculty of five major universities and served as president of four, such as the President and professor of Tangshan Engineering School of the Jiaotong University(now Southwest Jiaotong University), Director of Engineering Course of National Southeastern University(later renamed National Central Universityand Nanjing University, and the engineering course later became Nanjing Institute of Technologyand then Southeast University), President of Engineering Course College of Beiyang University, Director of Project Office of Hangzhou Qiantangjiang Bridge, and Director of Bridge Planning Project Office of Transportation Ministry of KuomintangAdministration.
He significantly influenced Chinese engineering education by introducing new subject matter and innovative pedagogical approaches. In addition to his engineering expertise, he was a distinguished scholar of the History of science in China.
He advocated popular scienceeducation, and wrote "On Bridge", "China's Arch Bridges" and many other popular science articles.
Directorships
Mao served as a leader of the China Engineers Association, the Chinese Civil Engineering Societyand the China Association of Science and Technology. He has also served as president of Southwest Jiaotong University(from Tangshan Engineering College to Northern Jiaotong University to Southwest Jiaotong University), director of Railway Institute under the Ministry of Railway, president of Railway Scientific Research Center, chairman of Beijing Science Association, honorary president and vice-president of the China Association for Science and Technology, vice-chairman of Jiu San Society, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), member of CPPCC, and the standing committee member of National People's Congress.
Mao was a senior member of International Bridge and Structural Project Association, and won the honorary title of Foreign Academician issued by the National Academy of Sciencesin the United States.
On April 18, 2006, Carnegie Mellon University set up a statue honoring its first doctoral graduate. The sculpture includes an inscription from China’s Premier, Wen Jiabao