Dr. Lei Tao | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | Tsinghua University | China

Lei Tao, is an accomplished chemist specializing in polymer science and engineering. Currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, his research focuses on multicomponent reactions and self-healing hydrogels. With over 200 publications and more than 16,000 citations, his work has gained international recognition.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

• Pioneering Research: Lei Tao has made remarkable contributions to polymer chemistry, focusing on multicomponent reactions, self-healing hydrogels, and bio-applications.
• Publication Excellence: With over 200 SCI papers and more than 16,000 citations, his H-index of 68 highlights the substantial impact of his research.
• Recognitions and Awards: Notable accolades include being a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in 2018 and 2019, and receiving the Outstanding Reviewer award for Polymer Chemistry in 2021.
• Leadership Roles: Editorial roles at Molecules and Polymer Chemistry reflect his influence in the academic community.
• Interdisciplinary Impact: His work bridges chemistry, biology, and materials science, with innovative applications in UV protection, heavy metal damage prevention, and bacterial resistance.

🎓 Education

Lei Tao earned his BS (1994-1999) and MS (1999-2002) degrees from the University of Science and Technology of China in Polymer Science and Engineering, under the supervision of Prof. Caiyuan Pan. He completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Warwick (2003-2006), mentored by Prof. David Haddleton.

💼 Experience

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Tao undertook postdoctoral research at the University of California, Los Angeles (2006-2008) with Prof. Heather Maynard and at the University of New South Wales, Australia (2008-2010) with Prof. Thomas Davis. Since 2010, he has been an Associate Professor at Tsinghua University.

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry

Dr. Tao’s research focuses on:

• Multicomponent reactions for new functional polymers.
• Self-healing hydrogels for bio-applications.

📝 Awards

• 2021: Outstanding Reviewer of Polymer Chemistry (Journal).
• 2019: Outstanding Employee of Tsinghua University.
• 2019: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-field); Top Peer Reviewer.
• 2018: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-field).
• 2018: First Prize, 8th Young Teachers Teaching Competition, Tsinghua University.

📖 Publications

1. Synthesis and Performance of Epoxy-Terminated Hyperbranched Polymers Based on Epoxidized Soybean Oil

   • Year: 2025
   • Authors: Guang-Zhao Li, Qiuhong Wang, Chongyu Zhu, Shuai Zhang, Fumei Wang, Lei Tao, Youqi Jiang, Qiang Zhang, Wenyan Wang, Rui Han
   • DOI: 10.3390/molecules30030583

2. Cold-resistant, highly stretchable ionic conductive hydrogels for intelligent motion recognition in winter sports

   • Year: 2024
   • Authors: Tongda Lei, Jiajun Pan, Ning Wang, Zhaopeng Xia, Qingsong Zhang, Jie Fan, Lei Tao, Wan Shou, Yu Gao
   • DOI: 10.1039/D3MH02013D

3. Hydrogels constructed by multicomponent reactions

   • Year: 2024
   • Authors: Siyu Pan, Chongyu Zhu, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.1039/D4PY00885E

4. Highly transparent UV-shielding film via Hantzsch’s reaction to prevent artwork from UV bleaching

   • Year: 2024
   • Authors: Siyu Pan, Xianzhe He, Chongyu Zhu, Zeyu Ma, Yingkai Liu, Yen Wei, Rui Yuan, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2024.102257

5. Ferrocene-Based Antioxidant Self-Healing Hydrogel via the Biginelli Reaction for Wound Healing

   • Year: 2024
   • Authors: Rui Yuan, Zhao Fang, Fang Liu, Xianzhe He, Sa Du, Nan Zhang, Qiang Zeng, Yen Wei, Yuwei Wu, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00063

6. Recent Developments in Functional Polymers via the Kabachnik–Fields Reaction: The State of the Art

   • Year: 2024
   • Authors: Rui Yuan, Xianzhe He, Chongyu Zhu, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030727

7. Polymeric Copper Chelator for Long-term Inhibition of Breast Cancer Proliferation and Lung Metastasis

   • Year: 2023
   • Authors: Xianzhe He, Siyu Pan, Zeyu Ma, Rui Yuan, Yen Wei, Lei Yang, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02717

8. Superhydrophobic Coatings Composed of Multifunctional Polymers Synthesized Using Successive Modification of Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thione

   • Year: 2023
   • Authors: Zeyu Ma, Shuaiheng Zhao, Huajun Zhai, Rui Yuan, Yen Wei, Lin Feng, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00572

9. Poly(vinyl alcohol) Modified via the Hantzsch Reaction for Biosafe Antioxidant Self-Healing Hydrogel

   • Year: 2023
   • Authors: Siyu Pan, Nan Zhang, Xianzhe He, Zhao Fang, Yuwei Wu, Yen Wei, Lei Tao
   • DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00298

10. Coral-friendly and non-transdermal polymeric UV filter via the Biginelli reaction for in vivo UV protection

• Year: 2023
• Authors: Yuan Zeng, Xianzhe He, Zeyu Ma, Yanzi Gou, Yen Wei, Siyu Pan, Lei Tao
• DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101308

🌍 Conclusion:

Dr. Lei Tao is a leading figure in polymer chemistry, pioneering multicomponent reactions and self-healing hydrogels. His influential work continues to inspire advancements in materials science and bio-applications.