After receiving a doctorate degree from the ETH Zurich, Wowo Ding (Nanjing, 1957) returned to China to continue her studies and academic career at Nanjing University, where she was the dean and professor of architecture at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning until 2018. Now she is professor of architecture and urban design at Nanjing university, and directs the Center of the future city and human settlements at the Natural Resources Research Institute of Nanjing University. She was awarded a teaching prize by the State Board of Education. Her work focuses on architectural design methodology and urban design theory, on which she has published and edited books and articles. In practice, she has built many projects and received awards issued by the State Ministry of Construction. She was head of the jury for the 2011 Holcim Awards (Region Asia Pacific). Wowo Ding is chairwoman of the Urban Design Department of the Chinese Famous City Committee, and chairwoman of the Urban Design Committee of Jiangsu Civil Engineering and Architectural Society, of which she is also the executive director.