Xuan Zhang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Xuan Zhang | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Hong Kong Baptist University | Hong Kong

Dr. Xuan Zhang is a highly respected Lecturer II at the School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University. As a registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner in both Mainland China and Hong Kong, she has cultivated a strong academic and clinical foundation rooted in traditional Chinese medicine principles. Since joining HKBU in 2016, she has significantly contributed to teaching, research, and international academic collaborations. Her leadership in evidence-based research, combined with her deep understanding of the Huangdi Neijing and classical theories such as the Five Circuits and Six Qi, positions her as a pioneer in integrating tradition with modern scientific approaches. Dr. Zhang has led or participated in more than 15 externally funded projects and published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, with a strong record of first- and corresponding-author contributions.

Professional Profile

ORCID

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Education

Dr. Zhang earned her Ph.D. in Chinese Medicine from the prestigious Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Her doctoral training provided a rich combination of theoretical studies, classical text interpretation, and hands-on clinical applications. The academic environment fostered her early interest in integrating traditional Chinese medical theories with scientific methodologies. Her educational path laid the groundwork for her to pursue rigorous research in both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Chinese medicine, particularly in the fields of epidemiology, gastrointestinal diseases, and methodological development.

Experience

With close to a decade of academic and clinical teaching experience, Dr. Zhang has taken on numerous roles that extend beyond the classroom. Since joining HKBU in 2016, she has secured seven research grants as Principal Investigator and served as co-investigator in multiple national-level projects funded by organizations such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Chinese Medicine Development Fund (HKSAR). Her expertise has led to contributions in reporting guideline development, multicentre clinical trials, and telemedicine studies. She also serves on editorial boards for international journals such as Scientific Reports, BMC Medical Research Methodology, and the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, underscoring her standing in the academic community.

Research Interests

Dr. Zhang’s core research areas include: (1) theoretical and clinical research based on the Huangdi Neijing, with a focus on the “Five Circuits and Six Qi” (Wu Yun Liu Qi); (2) development of evidence-based Chinese medicine practices and methodological reporting standards; (3) clinical studies on gastrointestinal diseases such as IBS and ulcerative colitis; and (4) epidemiological research in infectious diseases within the framework of Chinese medicine. She has championed multidisciplinary and cross-regional collaborations that explore the integration of data science with ancient medical systems. Her ongoing work also addresses the modernization and standardization of traditional practices to ensure global acceptance and scientific validation.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Zhang has received numerous awards for her outstanding research and contributions to Chinese medicine. She was named among China’s CNKI Highly Cited Scholars (Top 1%) and received the “Top Cited Article” award in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine. She was also honored as one of the “100 Outstanding Reviewers” of the China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy and recognized as the “1st Qiu Zhen Scholars of Chinese Medicine.” Additionally, she earned the “Top Articles in Outstanding S&T Journals of China” award twice and the “Third Prize of Science and Technology Award” from the China Association of Chinese Medicine. These accolades reflect her significant impact on both theoretical and applied Chinese medicine research.

Publications

  1. Title: A Protocol for Developing, Disseminating, and Implementing a Core Outcome Set for Clinical Trials of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine for Ulcerative Colitis
    Journal: Journal of Integrative Medicine
    Published on: 31 Jul 2025

  2. Title: Butyrate-producing commensal bacteria mediates the efficacy of herbal medicine JCM-16021 on abdominal pain in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial
    Journal: Phytomedicine
    Published on: Sep 2025

  3. Title: Outcomes reporting in clinical trials of Chinese herbal medicine on ulcerative colitis: A systematic review
    Journal: Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
    Published on: 28 Oct 2024

  4. Title: Suboptimal reporting of randomized controlled trials on non-pharmacological therapies in Chinese medicine
    Journal: Frontiers in Medicine
    Published on: 17 Jun 2024

  5. Title: Transparency and reporting characteristics of randomized controlled trials with Chinese herbal medicine formulas interventions
    Journal: Frontiers of Medicine
    Published on: 17 May 2024

  6. Title: STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Tuina/Massage (STRICTOTM): Extending the CONSORT Statement
    Journal: Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
    Published on: 14 Mar 2023

  7. Title: Reporting assessment of multicenter clinical trial protocols: a cross-sectional study
    Journal: Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
    Published on: 03 Mar 2023

Conclusion

Dr. Xuan Zhang is a distinguished researcher, educator, and clinical scholar whose work reflects a deep integration of traditional Chinese medicine principles with contemporary clinical and scientific practices. Her extensive publication record, grant leadership, and editorial responsibilities demonstrate her strong research acumen and commitment to globalizing Chinese medicine. With high-impact contributions, international collaborations, and multiple recognitions for academic excellence, Dr. Zhang is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work continues to shape the future of evidence-based Chinese medicine and methodological innovation.

Chao Liu | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chao Liu | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dongguan City University | China

Dr. Liu Chao (刘超), is a distinguished researcher in computational drug discovery and molecular simulation. With a robust background in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, he has seamlessly integrated computational techniques with biomedical applications. Dr. Liu has held prominent academic positions and has made impactful contributions in CADD, drug screening, and molecular dynamics. Currently serving as an Associate Professor at Dongguan City University, he continues to advance innovation in pharmacological sciences.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Liu Chao is a highly accomplished researcher in the field of Computational Drug Discovery and Molecular Dynamics Simulation, with extensive expertise in CADD (Computer-Aided Drug Design), drug screening, and bioinformatics-based target validation. His research output demonstrates significant depth and interdisciplinary integration, particularly in targeted drug screening for conditions like autism, depression, gastric cancer, and osteoarthritis, as well as innovative use of molecular dynamics, MM/PBSA, and patch-clamp validation techniques.

He has been affiliated with premier institutions including Dongguan City University and Southern University of Science and Technology, where he held positions from Associate Professor to Senior Research Scholar. His educational pedigree spans from a Ph.D. at Nanyang Technological University with a solid GPA (4.37/5.0) to dual bachelor degrees from Tianjin University. His proficiency in computational tools (Python, Gromacs, Autodock Vina) and languages (C/C++) is at the expert level.

🎓 Education

Dr. Liu Chao holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (Molecular Simulation) from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2008–2012), where he earned an impressive GPA of 4.37/5.0. He previously completed his Master’s in Chemical Engineering (Process Simulation) at Tianjin University (2006–2008) and earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Technology and Computer Science and Technology from Tianjin University, finishing first in his class. His academic excellence laid a strong foundation for his future success.

👨‍🔬 Experience

Dr. Liu’s career spans academia and industry, including roles as Senior Research Scholar at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) (2021–2023) and R&D Scientist at Process Integration Limited, Beijing (2013–2015). He has also held postdoctoral positions at SUSTech and Wuhan Institute of Technology. Since 2023, he has been serving as Associate Professor at Dongguan City University, where he leads drug discovery research. His work involves advanced simulation techniques, including patch-clamp validations and molecular docking for diseases such as osteoarthritis and autism.

🔍 Research Interests On Biology and Life Sciences

Dr. Liu’s research interests revolve around Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), Drug Development, Molecular Docking, ADMET Testing, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. He has applied these tools to study drug interactions with proteins relevant to osteoarthritis, autism, depression, and gastric cancer. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges chemistry, biology, and computational modeling.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Liu has received numerous honors, including:

  • 2025 Candidate for Digital Expert in Guangdong Province

  • 2024 Qiming Initiative Finalist by MIIT of China

  • 2023 High-Level Talent in Dongguan City

  • 2022 Distinguished Expert – China Doctoral Association Think Tank

  • 2019 Overseas Young Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pearl River Talent Plan

  • 2011 Best Young Author Nominee – Molecular Physics
    Additionally, he is a member of IEEE since 2009 and has received scholarships and talent awards throughout his academic career, highlighting his outstanding contributions to science and technology.

📚 Publications

  • Water as a Direct Proton Source for Asymmetric Hydroarylation Catalyzed by a Rh(I)–Diene: Access to Nonproteinogenic β2/γ2/δ2-Amino Acid Derivatives
    Authors: JP Chen, Y Li, C Liu, T Wang, LW Chung, MH Xu
    Year: 2020
    Cited by: 9

  • Cryo-EM structures of ClC-2 chloride channel reveal the blocking mechanism of its specific inhibitor AK-42
    Authors: T Ma, L Wang, A Chai, C Liu, W Cui, S Yuan, S Wing Ngor Au, L Sun, …
    Year: 2023
    Cited by: 5

  • Cryo-EM structure and activator screening of human tryptophan hydroxylase 2
    Authors: K Zhu, C Liu, Y Gao, J Lu, D Wang, H Zhang
    Year: 2022
    Cited by: 4

  • Solubility correlation by model with partial molar volume
    Authors: Q Yu, J Li, C Liu, H Yang
    Year: 2023
    Cited by: 3

  • Direct Simulation Monte Carlo for Dense Hard Spheres
    Authors: L Chao, SK Kwak, S Ansumali
    Year: 2014
    Cited by: 2

  • Generalized equilibrium concentration of polyvacancy: case study for trivacancy in hard-sphere crystals
    Authors: C Liu, PC Su, SK Kwak
    Year: 2011
    Cited by: 1

  • Targeted drug screening for autism based on Cav1.2 calcium ion channel
    Author: C Liu
    Year: 2025
    Cited by: Not yet cited

  • Inhibitor screening for volume-sensitive LRRC8A chloride channel
    Authors: C Liu, W Cui, K Zhu, S Yuan, L Sun, Y Liang, J Lu, D Li, Z Deng, L Duan, …
    Year: 2024
    Cited by: Not yet cited

🧩 Conclusion

With a strong academic foundation, interdisciplinary research excellence, and an impressive portfolio of publications and awards, Dr. Liu Chao stands as a prominent leader in computational drug discovery. His commitment to using advanced simulations to address pressing medical challenges—from autism to gastric cancer—illustrates both scientific rigor and societal impact. Dr. Liu’s dynamic contributions make him a compelling candidate for any prestigious scientific or innovation-based recognition.