A senior pharmaceutical analyst from Guolian Minsheng Securities Company Limited has officially departed from the securities research industry. Zheng Wei, the assistant director of the research institute and chief pharmaceutical analyst, will not be transitioning to a traditional buy-side role or corporate position. Instead, she will enroll in the Master of Buddhist Studies program at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Arts. This analyst, a repeated award winner in prestigious industry rankings, marked the end of her professional chapter with a sincere farewell letter imbued with Zen philosophy.
In her resignation letter, Zheng Wei openly discussed the motivations behind her seemingly unconventional choice. "The formal admission offer for the University of Hong Kong's Master of Buddhist Studies is finalized, concluding six months of hard work with the desired outcome," she wrote. She revealed that while busy with IELTS exams and school applications, many old friends assumed she was pursuing a rigorous MBA or another advanced degree within the competitive healthcare sector. "In reality, I want to explore a path of tranquility," she stated.
As a seasoned researcher with 15 years of deep experience in the healthcare industry, Zheng Wei has observed numerous individuals who are "physically healthy, highly educated, and wealthy, yet still deeply mired in spiritual exhaustion and suffering." "I too have experienced a sense of meaninglessness amidst intense competition, which led me to question the business logic and life principles I once firmly believed in," she wrote. "Life itself is an extremely random blind box. Since life gains its depth from impermanence, why not follow one's heart and do something one truly desires?"
Zheng Wei specifically emphasized that this career shift does not signify a complete departure from the healthcare field. "This time, I hope to view a person as an integrated entity of body and mind. Authentic Buddhist studies have always been a form of positive, worldly wisdom," she explained. She indicated that she plans to regularly share her study notes and insights in the future, aiming to "deconstruct the worldly philosophy of Buddhism and understand the transcendental philosophy in life using a beginner's mindset and an analyst's methodology."
The attention surrounding Zheng Wei's departure is closely linked to her solid professional background and industry influence. Public information shows she graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China with a master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Her career began in the industrial sector, with a five-year tenure in the R&D and strategy departments of leading medical device company Mindray Medical. This hands-on experience laid a strong foundation for her subsequent research career.
Starting in 2017, Zheng Wei held positions at Huatai Securities and Tianfeng Securities, serving as Chief Pharmaceutical Analyst at Tianfeng Securities from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, she joined Guolian Securities as Assistant Director of the Research Institute and Head of the Pharmaceutical Team, overseeing the team's overall research efforts. Zheng Wei has received numerous accolades in industry awards. She led her team to achieve shortlist recognition for the New Fortune Best Analyst award in Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology from 2017 to 2019, the Golden Bull Award for Best Industry Analysis Team and Most Valuable Chief Analyst from 2019 to 2020, fifth place in the Sina Golden Kylin Best Analyst ranking, and third place in the Wind Golden Medal Analyst ranking. In 2025, she was ranked third among elite analysts in the innovative drug industry.
In her farewell letter, Zheng Wei expressed anticipation for the future and warmth towards her colleagues. "I hope to offer a different perspective to my old friends who continue to strive forward in this era. For friends with similar interests and curiosity, I hope my gained insights can provide some companionship for discussion. The journey is long; I look forward to your guidance," she wrote.
There is no public information yet regarding how the Guolian Securities research institute will adjust the configuration of its pharmaceutical team following Zheng Wei's departure. According to team introductions, the Guolian pharmaceutical team has already established comprehensive research capabilities covering the entire industry chain, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, traditional Chinese medicine, medical services, CXO, vaccines, and medical aesthetics. Several analysts on the team hold degrees from top-tier institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and HKUST, and possess industry experience.
From a research and development engineer at Mindray Medical to a regular presence on the New Fortune analyst rankings, and now preparing to study Buddhist studies at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Arts—Zheng Wei's career path aligns with her own description: an exploration of an "inward journey." At a time when the securities research industry is increasingly characterized by intense competition, her career shift perhaps offers the market a noteworthy case for reflection: while chasing external achievements, how does one settle their inner world?
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