Dan Wu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dan Wu | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Jilin Agricultural University | China

Dr. Dan Wu serves as an Adjunct Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor at Jilin Agricultural University under the prestigious “Class A Talent Introduction Program”. With a strong background in biotechnology and peptide science, he is a dynamic academician committed to translational research. Dr. Wu is actively engaged in advancing bioactive peptide research and its applications in functional foods, with multiple industry collaborations and recognized publications to his credit.

Author Profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dan Wu is a distinguished Adjunct Professor at Jilin Agricultural University and a PhD supervisor under the “Class A Talent Introduction Program.” His academic footprint includes over 10 SCI-indexed publications in top-tier journals (CAS Region I) as a first or corresponding author, indicating a consistent and high-impact research output.

He has also secured prestigious national and provincial research grants, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Fund) and other regional foundations. Notably, his industry collaborations have led to the successful commercialization of four bioactive peptide products, bridging academic research and real-world application. Additionally, he has served as a reviewer for high-impact journals like JAFC and FC and holds a nationally authorized patent. These combined achievements showcase his innovative research, leadership in academia, and industry relevance, all of which are key metrics for the Best Researcher Award.

🎓 Education

Dr. Dan Wu completed his doctoral studies in a specialized field related to bioactive peptides and food science, equipping him with the foundational expertise to lead cutting-edge research. His academic journey, marked by rigor and innovation, set the stage for his future roles as a supervisor and innovator in academia and industry.

💼 Experience

Dr. Wu has extensive experience in academic research, innovation, and supervision. He is a reviewer for top journals such as Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (JAFC) and Food Chemistry (FC). As the chairperson for major scientific grants including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Fund), he has contributed significantly to project evaluation and development. He also collaborates with industry stakeholders, leading to successful product development and commercialization.

🔬 Research Interests On Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Dr. Wu’s primary research interests lie in the development, absorption, and metabolism of bioactive peptides, particularly those derived from ginseng and marine organisms. His investigations focus on functional foods, peptide delivery systems, and the biochemical mechanisms governing peptide absorption—aiming to bridge the gap between nutritional science and therapeutic applications.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Dr. Wu was recognized under the “Class A Talent Introduction Program”, reflecting his exceptional academic capabilities. He received national authorization for a patent as the first inventor, and his works have significantly impacted both academia and industry. His ongoing contributions to journals and his leadership in grant-funded research further reinforce his stature in the scientific community.

📚 Publications

Dr. Wu has authored more than 10 SCI-indexed papers in leading journals from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Region I, such as Food Chemistry, Journal of Functional Foods, and Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Here are sample publications:

  • Wu, D. Mechanism of intestinal paracellular absorption of shrimp peptide QMDDQ regulated by myosin light chain kinase, Food Chemistry, 2023, Cited by 23

  • Wu, D. Stability and bioavailability of ginseng-derived peptides in functional beverages, Journal of Functional Foods, 2022, Cited by 31

  • Wu, D. Peptide-enriched chlorella extracts and their bioactive potential, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2021, Cited by 40

🧪 Conclusion

Dr. Dan Wu exemplifies a blend of academic excellence, innovative research, and industry impact. Through his leadership in national research projects, high-impact publications, patented inventions, and successful product transformations, he has significantly contributed to advancing functional peptide applications in health and nutrition. His work not only enriches scientific understanding but also offers real-world benefits through commercialized bio-functional products.

Jon Ashley | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Jon Ashley | Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award

Liverpool John Moores University | United Kingdom

Dr. Jon Ashley is a distinguished Senior Lecturer in Analytical and Forensic Science at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. With a robust background in analytical chemistry, molecular recognition, and biosensor development, his career spans academia and research institutions across Europe and Asia. Driven by innovation, Dr. Ashley focuses on advancing biosensing technologies for healthcare and environmental applications.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Outstanding Research Record:
    Dr. Ashley has an extensive research portfolio, focusing primarily on analytical chemistry, biosensors, molecular recognition, aptamer development, and nanomaterials. His publication list includes high-impact journals like Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Nucleic Acids Research, and Biomaterials, demonstrating a strong contribution to scientific advancement.

  • International Experience:
    His research career spans multiple prestigious institutions across the UK, Denmark, Portugal, Switzerland, and Singapore, indicating international recognition and collaboration.

  • Grant Success:
    He has secured significant funding as a principal investigator (PI), including the Villum Experiment Grant (1.5 million DKK) and a Discovery Grant for a spinout company (150,000 DKK), showing leadership in research innovation and commercialization.

  • Academic Service and Leadership:
    Dr. Ashley holds leadership roles as a senior lecturer and module leader at Liverpool John Moores University, along with serving as a topic editor for Chemosensors and Biosensors journals. He also contributes actively to scientific communities through committees (e.g., RSC Liverpool Local Section) and public outreach (e.g., Shotgun Science events).

  • Awards and Honors:
    Achieving Chartered Chemist (CChem) status and being recognized twice as a Top Reviewer in Chemistry reflects peer recognition of his academic excellence and service.

🎓 Education

Dr. Ashley completed his PhD in Analytical Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (2009–2013), where he developed protein-binding aptamers using capillary electrophoresis. Prior to that, he earned a PGCE with QTS in Secondary Science Education from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (2005–2006) and an MChem (Honours) in Chemistry with Industrial Experience (2:i) from the University of Manchester (2000–2004). His educational journey highlights a blend of deep scientific inquiry and a commitment to teaching excellence.

🏢 Experience

Dr. Ashley’s professional journey is marked by dynamic academic and research roles. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University (2022–Present). Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at Denmark Technical University (2019–2022), a Marie Curie Co-Fund Research Fellow at INL, Portugal (2018–2019), and a Postdoctoral Researcher at DTU Nanotech (2016–2018). His earlier research roles at Cranfield University (2014–2016) and University Hospital Basel (2013–2014) provided rich experience in biosensor development and molecular neuroscience.

🔬 Research Interest On Biotechnology

Dr. Ashley’s research interests focus on molecular recognition, biosensor design, aptamer development, and nanomaterials for healthcare diagnostics. He has a strong focus on developing next-generation biosensors using enzyme-generated aptamers and has expanded his expertise into areas such as environmental sensing and nanomedicine for cancer therapy.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Ashley’s accolades include the Chartered Chemist Status (CChem) from the Royal Society of Chemistry (2018–Present) and multiple editorial roles at Chemosensors and Biosensors journals. He has been recognized as a Top Reviewer in Chemistry by Publons in 2018 and 2019, won the NUS Teaching Excellence Award in 2011, and recently received the LJMU Faculty Education Award in Digital Education (2025).

📚 Publications

Dr. Ashley has an impressive list of publications in prestigious journals:

1
Title: Molecularly imprinted polymers for sample preparation and biosensing in food analysis: Progress and perspectives
Authors: J Ashley, MA Shahbazi, K Kant, VA Chidambara, A Wolff, DD Bang, Y Sun
Year: 2017
Citations: 372

2
Title: Biodegradable poly (Îł-glutamic acid)@ glucose oxidase@ carbon dot nanoparticles for simultaneous multimodal imaging and synergetic cancer therapy
Authors: M Zhang, W Wang, F Wu, T Zheng, J Ashley, M Mohammadniaei, …
Year: 2020
Citations: 128

3
Title: Quantitative detection of trace level cloxacillin in food samples using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer extraction and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy nanopillars
Authors: J Ashley, K Wu, MF Hansen, MS Schmidt, A Boisen, Y Sun
Year: 2017
Citations: 93

4
Title: Synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles for Îą-Casein detection using surface plasmon resonance as a milk allergen sensor
Authors: J Ashley, Y Shukor, R D’Aurelio, L Trinh, TL Rodgers, J Temblay, …
Year: 2018
Citations: 91

5
Title: An SPR based sensor for allergens detection
Authors: J Ashley, M Piekarska, C Segers, L Trinh, T Rodgers, R Willey, IE Tothill
Year: 2017
Citations: 90

6
Title: Upregulating aggregation‐induced‐emission nanoparticles with blood–tumor‐barrier permeability for precise photothermal eradication of brain tumors and induction of local immune response
Authors: M Zhang, W Wang, M Mohammadniaei, T Zheng, Q Zhang, J Ashley, …
Year: 2021
Citations: 86

7
Title: Fluorometric determination of doxycycline based on the use of carbon quantum dots incorporated into a molecularly imprinted polymer
Authors: X Feng, J Ashley, T Zhou, Y Sun
Year: 2018
Citations: 82

8
Title: One-pot green synthesis of biocompatible graphene quantum dots and their cell uptake studies
Authors: A Halder, M Godoy-Gallardo, J Ashley, X Feng, T Zhou, L Hosta-Rigau, …
Year: 2018
Citations: 77

9
Title: Development of a β-Lactoglobulin sensor based on SPR for milk allergens detection
Authors: J Ashley, R D’Aurelio, M Piekarska, J Temblay, M Pleasants, L Trinh, …
Year: 2018
Citations: 75

10
Title: A multifunctional molecularly imprinted polymer-based biosensor for direct detection of doxycycline in food samples
Authors: J Ashley, XT Feng, Y Sun
Year: 2018
Citations: 72

🧩 Conclusion

✨ Dr. Jon Ashley exemplifies a modern scientific leader whose work bridges the gap between fundamental analytical chemistry and impactful biosensor innovation. His career trajectory, distinguished by international research, prolific publication, and academic contributions, highlights his role as a pioneer in developing next-generation diagnostic technologies for both clinical and environmental applications.