Shijia Lu | Medical Discoveries | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Shijia Lu | Medical Discoveries | Best Researcher Award

Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University, China

Shijia Lu is an emerging biomedical researcher and Associate Editor of the Guide to Biomedical Research Tools, affiliated with Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University. With a foundational academic background in Biotechnology, she has focused her expertise on tumor-targeted therapy and drug resistance mechanisms. As a Student Member of the Chinese Society for Biotechnology, she actively contributes to bridging computational biology with clinical oncology. Her research integrates network pharmacology, molecular dynamics, and in silico simulations to explore anti-cancer drug discovery. Shijia has led and participated in several significant research projects, including a Henan Province Science and Technology Innovation initiative. Her contributions as first author to a peer-reviewed SCI journal article on PCNA-targeted inhibitors have drawn national recognition. She has won three national research awards and two provincial translation honors, reflecting her interdisciplinary proficiency. Known for developing dual-ligand inhibitors that counteract mutation-based resistance, her work has received acclaim in innovation competitions and scientific circles alike. Passionate about leveraging bioinformatics for real-world medical challenges, Shijia promotes tool-based translational cancer research through editorial leadership. Her professional trajectory demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing oncology therapeutics through an integrative and experimental lens, making her an excellent candidate for the Young Scientist Award.

Professional Profile

ORCID Profile

 Education

Shijia Lu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University, where she built a solid foundation in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning disease, especially cancer. During her academic tenure, she distinguished herself by merging theoretical coursework with hands-on laboratory research, focusing on tumor biology and pharmacological interventions. Her keen interest in bioinformatics led her to independently master essential research software such as AutoDock Vina, STRING, Cytoscape, and others, allowing her to translate genomic and proteomic data into therapeutic insights. As part of her academic progression, she actively engaged in university-sponsored research competitions and projects that emphasized the intersection of computational biology and experimental science. Her education was not confined to the classroom—she collaborated across departments on interdisciplinary initiatives, strengthening her expertise in network pharmacology, molecular simulation, and drug-target interaction studies. Her early exposure to grant-funded projects and her participation in the Henan Province Science and Technology Innovation Program further solidified her academic profile. With a rigorous academic background paired with a practical grasp of translational biomedical research, Shijia Lu is well-prepared for a long-term career in developing innovative solutions for drug-resistant cancer therapies.

 Professional Experience

Shijia Lu has cultivated an impressive blend of editorial, research, and project leadership experience. Currently serving as the Associate Editor of the Guide to Biomedical Research Tools, she curates and reviews innovative bioinformatics and molecular biology tools for cancer research, aiding scientists across disciplines. Beyond editorial responsibilities, Shijia has actively led three major university-level research projects and collaborated on a province-level scientific initiative, demonstrating both autonomy and teamwork in research execution. Her landmark role as Principal Investigator on the 2025–2026 PCNA-targeted inhibitor project marks a high point in her professional experience, where she designed dual-ligand molecules to overcome drug resistance mutations. She also oversaw the development of a patented anti-tumor drug screening system, highlighting her capacity for product-oriented research. Her consultancy work in national innovation contests, where she secured second place for a novel cancer treatment strategy, further underscores her practical contributions. Shijia’s experience spans laboratory-based experimental verification, high-level simulation, and tool development. Her engagement in both academic and translational science demonstrates a maturity beyond her years, making her an asset to collaborative biomedical innovation. Her multifaceted career blends scientific rigor with editorial insight, contributing meaningfully to cancer research advancement.

Research Interest

Shijia Lu’s research is deeply rooted in the mechanisms of tumor-targeted therapy and overcoming resistance through computational and experimental synergy. She is particularly interested in how network pharmacology, molecular docking, and bioinformatics can converge to inform drug discovery for aggressive cancers. Her ongoing work explores PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) as a pivotal target in anticancer therapy, focusing on its mutations, druggability, and protein interaction networks. Shijia leverages cutting-edge tools such as ESM-Fold, MM/GBSA simulations, and AutoDock Vina to identify novel compounds and validate them through simulation-driven predictions. Her interdisciplinary curiosity extends to toxicogenomics, as seen in her research on ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia. A key facet of her research interest is “multi-dimensional synergy,” a concept she introduced to integrate dual-ligand designs and structural-functional coupling strategies. She also utilizes multi-omics datasets to pinpoint plant-derived bioactives, such as from pomegranate peel, offering eco-sustainable therapeutic options. This combination of wet-lab experiments and dry-lab modeling makes her approach both innovative and pragmatic. Shijia’s vision is to bridge in silico drug design with clinical applicability, ultimately reducing trial costs and improving therapeutic precision. Her research ambition is to contribute meaningfully to the fight against cancer by creating data-validated, mutation-resistant therapeutic options.

 Research Skills

Shijia Lu possesses an advanced set of interdisciplinary research skills that span computational biology, molecular pharmacology, and bioinformatics. She is proficient in molecular docking (AutoDock Vina), protein interaction analysis (STRING), pathway visualization (Cytoscape), and structure prediction (ESM-Fold). These skills have enabled her to develop innovative inhibitors, simulate their interactions under mutation conditions, and validate their potential efficacy in silico. Her command over MM/GBSA free energy calculations has been crucial in quantifying ligand-protein binding affinities in mutation scenarios. Beyond software, she is experienced in network pharmacology frameworks, toxicogenomic analysis, and data-driven compound screening, using multi-omics datasets to identify phytochemicals for anti-cancer properties. Shijia is also skilled in designing and conducting wet-lab experiments, including molecular cloning and cell-based assays, for validating computational predictions. Her capabilities extend to scientific writing, patent filing, and data visualization—key components that have facilitated her publication in an SCI-indexed journal and the development of a research reference book. Furthermore, her leadership as a principal investigator in multiple research projects shows her competence in proposal writing, budget management, and collaborative project execution. Her comprehensive skill set equips her to tackle multifaceted biomedical challenges and positions her as a strong contributor to translational cancer research.

Awards and Honors

Shijia Lu has received multiple prestigious recognitions that affirm her contributions to biomedical research and innovation. She is the recipient of three national-level awards from competitive research and innovation contests in the medical health category, including second place at the Fourth National College Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Her project, “A New Anti-Cancer Strategy Targeting PCNA,” earned national acclaim for its novel approach to overcoming drug resistance using dual-ligand inhibitors. Additionally, she has won two provincial awards for excellence in scientific translation, demonstrating her ability to convey complex biomedical content across languages—a skill vital in international research collaboration. Shijia has also been recognized through institutional grants and provincial-level research sponsorships, such as the Henan Province Science and Technology Innovation Project (No: 252102310194), for which she played a leading role in experimental verification. Her achievements extend to academic publishing, with her first-author SCI paper being widely cited and referenced in cancer pharmacology studies. These accolades reflect her exceptional interdisciplinary capacity, scientific communication proficiency, and innovative mindset. Through consistent recognition at institutional, provincial, and national levels, Shijia Lu has proven herself a rising leader in biomedical research deserving of the Young Scientist Award.

Conclusion

In summary, Shijia Lu exemplifies the ideal profile of a young and dynamic biomedical researcher dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing challenges in oncology. With a robust academic background, hands-on project leadership, and deep technical skills in computational drug design and network pharmacology, she has already made notable contributions to the field of tumor-targeted therapy. Her research on PCNA-targeted inhibitors has not only earned her national recognition but also holds translational promise in overcoming cancer drug resistance. As an Associate Editor and an active member of academic societies, Shijia promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Her commitment is evident in her editorial work, her numerous research outputs, and her continuous quest for merging digital simulation with practical experimentation. Through her combination of creativity, technical mastery, and academic leadership, she represents the new generation of scientists driving biomedical progress forward. With several national awards and published research to her credit, she is poised to contribute significantly to future breakthroughs in cancer treatment. For her excellence in research, leadership potential, and impactful contributions.

Publications Top Notes

Title:
Design and Anti-Drug Resistance Research of Novel PCNA-Targeted Inhibitors Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Authors:
Shijia Lu, YiRan Zhen, Jinwen Sima, Jinle Wang, Qihao Zhu, Miaoyan Han, Mengdan Sang, Xuejiao Li, Bing Zhang, Zihan Wang, et al.

Year:
2025

Zecong Xiao | Precision Medicine | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zecong Xiao | Precision Medicine | Best Researcher Award

Associate Research Fellow at The Third Affiliated Hospitial of Sun Yat sen University, China

Dr. Zecong Xiao is a distinguished Associate Research Fellow and Master’s Supervisor at the Nanomedicine Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. As a recognized member of Sun Yat-sen University’s prestigious “Hundred Talents Program” for Young Talents, Dr. Xiao is known for his pioneering research in nanomedicine, tumor immunotherapy, and tissue engineering. Born on January 5, 1992, he has swiftly risen through the academic ranks, demonstrating a strong commitment to translational biomedical research. His scientific contributions are substantiated by an H-index of 24 and over 1,900 citations. Dr. Xiao has published 49 SCI-indexed articles, with 41 of them as first or corresponding author in high-impact journals like Science Advances, ACS Nano, Bioactive Materials, and Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. He has effectively integrated interdisciplinary strategies in engineering, pharmacology, and immunotherapy to advance cancer treatment methodologies. Beyond his publication record, he has served as a principal investigator in numerous national and provincial research grants, with total funding exceeding 2 million RMB. His ongoing commitment to innovation, mentoring, and collaborative science positions him as a prominent thought leader in applied biomedical research in China and beyond.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Zecong Xiao has received comprehensive academic training across multiple disciplines relevant to pharmaceutical and biomedical research. He earned his Ph.D. in Engineering with a focus on Materials Science from Sun Yat-sen University in June 2020, where he initiated his foundational research into drug delivery systems and nanomedicine. His doctoral work equipped him with interdisciplinary expertise blending materials science, pharmacology, and immunotherapy—areas central to his current research pursuits. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s degree in Medicine with a specialization in Pharmacology at Wenzhou Medical University in 2017. This phase of his education provided a critical understanding of drug mechanisms and therapeutic interventions at the cellular and systemic levels. Dr. Xiao began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine in 2014, grounding him in pharmaceutical sciences and traditional Chinese medicine. Each phase of his education not only broadened his technical skills but also deepened his commitment to translational research, laying a strong foundation for his contributions to cancer immunotherapy and advanced drug delivery technologies. His academic background showcases a rare integration of pharmacological principles and engineering applications.

Professional Experience

Dr. Zecong Xiao currently serves as an Associate Research Fellow and Master’s Supervisor at the Nanomedicine Center of The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Since March 2023, he has been actively involved in cutting-edge research focused on nanodrug delivery, tumor-targeting immunotherapy, and tissue engineering repair. His role involves supervising graduate students, leading national and university-level research projects, and publishing high-impact papers. Before this, from August 2020 to August 2022, Dr. Xiao completed a productive postdoctoral fellowship at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. During this period, he developed a number of innovative nanomedicine strategies for targeted cancer therapy, earning national-level funding and recognition. Dr. Xiao’s professional experience reflects a trajectory of consistent scientific growth, marked by deep collaborations across disciplines such as bioengineering, immunology, and clinical oncology. His participation in multi-million RMB projects, both as principal investigator and key contributor, highlights his strategic thinking and leadership. At every career stage, he has demonstrated a clear vision for applying laboratory innovation to clinical contexts. His position in Sun Yat-sen’s “Hundred Talents Program” further affirms his status as a rising star in translational biomedical research in China.

Research Interest

Dr. Zecong Xiao’s research interests lie at the dynamic interface of nanomedicine, immunotherapy, and materials science. His work is primarily focused on the design and development of smart drug delivery systems that can effectively target tumors and modulate the immune microenvironment for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. He is particularly interested in functional nanomaterials that can bypass biological barriers to deliver payloads such as siRNA, small molecules, and proteins directly to diseased tissues. Dr. Xiao’s lab explores methods for improving T-cell infiltration into solid tumors using bioorthogonal nanodrug strategies and CAR-T cell modifications. He is also deeply involved in the study of tumor interstitial pressure and how to engineer delivery platforms that overcome this hurdle. Recently, his research has expanded into tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with projects investigating hydrogel-based scaffolds and MOF-based delivery systems for spinal cord injury and wound healing. His translational approach aims to bridge the gap between fundamental materials science and clinical applications in oncology and regenerative therapy. Overall, Dr. Xiao’s interdisciplinary focus on applying nanoscale innovations to solve complex biomedical problems situates him at the forefront of next-generation therapeutic development.

Research Skills

Dr. Zecong Xiao possesses an extensive and advanced skill set that supports his multidisciplinary research in nanomedicine and cancer immunotherapy. He is proficient in the synthesis and characterization of functional nanomaterials, including stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and hydrogel-based delivery systems. He demonstrates expertise in drug encapsulation techniques, bioorthogonal chemistry, and surface functionalization, which are critical for targeted delivery and controlled release. Dr. Xiao is also well-versed in various in vitro and in vivo experimental models, enabling comprehensive evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and biocompatibility. His ability to integrate imaging technologies such as fluorescence microscopy and ultrasound enhances his work in biodistribution and real-time tracking of nanodrugs. In immunological applications, he is skilled in flow cytometry, ELISA, cytokine profiling, and T-cell modification techniques such as CAR-T engineering. Computational modeling and statistical analysis are further tools he utilizes for experimental design and data interpretation. In addition to laboratory competencies, Dr. Xiao has demonstrated proficiency in academic writing, grant proposal development, and project management, contributing to his success in securing multiple national research grants. Collectively, these skills empower him to conduct high-impact, translational research aimed at improving clinical outcomes in oncology and tissue regeneration.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Zecong Xiao has earned significant recognition for his research contributions, highlighted by his selection into the prestigious “Hundred Talents Program” at Sun Yat-sen University—a testament to his exceptional promise as a young scientist. This competitive initiative supports top-tier early-career researchers, offering substantial research funding and institutional support. He has also received the First-Class Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, acknowledging his groundbreaking work on matrix clearance-based nanodelivery systems to improve T-cell tumor infiltration. Dr. Xiao has served as Principal Investigator on multiple nationally and provincially funded projects, including grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Guangdong Provincial Science Fund for Applied Basic Research. His cumulative research funding exceeds 2 million RMB, reflecting the strong institutional and governmental trust in his work. In addition to funding awards, his published works have garnered widespread academic acclaim, accumulating over 1,900 citations and an H-index of 24—extraordinary achievements for a researcher of his age. His papers frequently appear in top-tier journals with impact factors exceeding 10, further underscoring the innovation and relevance of his research in the global scientific community.

Conclusion

Dr. Zecong Xiao exemplifies the next generation of translational researchers, leveraging multidisciplinary expertise to address some of the most pressing challenges in medicine. Through a strong foundation in materials science, pharmacology, and nanotechnology, he has developed innovative solutions for cancer immunotherapy and tissue engineering. His prolific academic output—comprising 49 high-impact publications and a rapidly growing citation record—reflects both the depth and breadth of his contributions. As a core member of Sun Yat-sen University’s “Hundred Talents Program,” he continues to inspire through mentorship, collaboration, and leadership in scientific research. His success in securing major research grants highlights both his visionary research goals and his strategic planning capabilities. With demonstrated excellence in both fundamental science and clinical translation, Dr. Xiao is poised to make lasting contributions to global healthcare, particularly in oncology, regenerative medicine, and nanomedicine. His career trajectory is a powerful example of how dedicated research, supported by institutional trust and personal perseverance, can drive scientific innovation with real-world impact. As his research continues to evolve, Dr. Xiao is set to remain at the forefront of biomedical discovery and application.

Publications Top Notes

1. Title: Endothelia-targeting eye drops deliver a STING inhibitor to effectively reduce retinal neovascularization in ischemic retinopathy
Authors: Siying Wen, Xuemin He, Jiachen Wang, Zheyao Wen, Heying Ai, Mengyin Cai, Yi Yang, Hejun Li, Shasha Li, Guojun Shi, Aimin Xu, Zecong Xiao, Xintao Shuai
Year: 2025

2. Title: Targeting m6A demethylase FTO to heal diabetic wounds with ROS-scavenging nanocolloidal hydrogels
Authors: Xinyao Zheng, S.Z. Deng, Yuan Li, Zhipeng Luo, Ziqi Gan, Zheng Zhang, Rui Xu, Shan Xiao, Yuxiong Cai, Jiazheng Meng, Li Li, Changxing Li, Xianghong Xue, Wei Dai, Qin Si, Mengying Wang, Kang Zeng, Zecong Xiao, Lai-Xin Xia
Year: 2025
Citations: 2

3. Title: A dissolvable microneedle platform for the delivery of tumor-derived total RNA nanovaccines for enhanced tumor immunotherapy
Authors: Jiachen Wang, Siying Wen, Yujie Jiang, Zheyao Wen, Minghao Zhang, Yuchen Li, Jujian Ye, Zecong Xiao, Xintao Shuai
Year: 2025

4. Title: A PD-L1 siRNA-Loaded Boron Nanoparticle for Targeted Cancer Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy
Authors: Shaohui Deng, Lijun Hu, Guo Chen, Jujian Ye, Siying Wen, Zecong Xiao, Xintao Shuai
Year: 2025
Citations: 2

5. Title: Tertiary lymphoid structure formation induced by LIGHT-engineered and photosensitive nanoparticles-decorated bacteria enhances immune response against colorectal cancer
Authors: Lijun Hu, Tan Li, Shaohui Deng, Honglin Gao, Yujie Jiang, Qiu Chen, Hui Chen, Zecong Xiao, Xintao Shuai, Zhongzhen Su
Year: 2025
Citations: 4