Huang Danian at Jilin University. [Photo/Xinhua]

About four months after Huang's passing, his daughter Huang Xiao told Xinhua that her family was still racked in grief.

"Like most loving fathers, my father hoped I would study well. More importantly, he wanted me to grow up to be someone useful to society," she said.

"My father always wanted to serve his motherland, and wanted to be a person helping others," she added.

Huang Xiao said she was proud to know that his father's work was recognized by his homeland, and he was honored as a "sincere patriot and role model" for overseas returnees.

In May, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Huang's work and called on the public to learn from the esteemed scientist.

"Now with my father gone, I hope my mother can move on to enjoy the rest of her life while I raise my son well," Huang Xiao said. "That's how I can repay my father."