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.

Pingyu Zhang | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Pingyu Zhang | Biochemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shenzhen University | China

Pingyu Zhang is a distinguished professor and deputy director of the Department of Chemistry at Shenzhen University. She obtained her Ph.D. in 2015 under the mentorship of Professor Hui Chao at Sun Yat-sen University. Following her doctoral studies, she joined the University of Warwick as a Newton Fellow in Professor Peter J. Sadler’s group from 2015 to 2017. Since 2017, she has been a faculty member at Shenzhen University, where she has made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. In recognition of her outstanding research, she was honored as a Young Chang Jiang Scholar by the Ministry of Education in 2023.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Google Scholar

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  1. Outstanding Research Contributions

    • Professor Zhang has made significant advancements in the field of metal complex drugs for tumor-driven therapy, particularly in light- and sound-sensitive anti-tumor treatments.
    • Her pioneering work in sonodynamic therapy using metal complexes has opened new avenues for deep-tumor treatment, demonstrating high scientific impact.
  2. Academic Excellence & Recognitions

    • Recognized as a Young Chang Jiang Scholar (2023) by the Ministry of Education, a prestigious honor highlighting her research excellence.
    • Recipient of the Second-Class Natural Science Award of Shenzhen (2023, first contributor) and the Dalton Division Horizon Prize (2022) from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
  3. Research Productivity & Innovation

    • Published over 80 research papers in reputable journals, reflecting her consistent contributions to the scientific community.
    • Holds 18 Chinese invention patents, indicating her strong emphasis on translational research and innovation.
  4. International Experience & Collaborations

    • Gained global exposure through her postdoctoral research as a Newton Fellow at the University of Warwick (2015-2017) under the mentorship of Professor Peter J. Sadler.
    • Established a strong research presence both nationally and internationally, positioning her as a leading scientist in her field.

Education 🎓

Pingyu Zhang completed her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Sun Yat-sen University in 2015 under the guidance of Professor Hui Chao. Her academic journey equipped her with a strong foundation in metal complex chemistry, which later became a cornerstone of her research career.

Experience 💼

Following her Ph.D., Professor Zhang worked as a Newton Fellow at the University of Warwick from 2015 to 2017, collaborating with Professor Peter J. Sadler on groundbreaking research in metal-based therapeutics. In 2017, she joined Shenzhen University as a faculty member, where she currently serves as a distinguished professor and deputy director of the Department of Chemistry. Her leadership and dedication have significantly advanced the department’s research initiatives.

Research Interests On Biochemistry 🌍

Professor Zhang’s research focuses on the fundamental study of metal complex drugs for tumor-driven therapy. She has pioneered the development of light- and sound-sensitive anti-tumor drugs, creating innovative therapeutic strategies. Notably, she was the first to identify the potential application of metal complexes in sonodynamic therapy, a promising approach for treating deep-seated tumors. Her work aims to enhance cancer treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects.

Awards 🏆

  • Young Chang Jiang Scholar, Ministry of Education (2023)
  • Second-Class Natural Science Award of Shenzhen (First Contributor, 2023)
  • Dalton Division Horizon Prize, Royal Society of Chemistry (2022)

Publications 📚

Professor Zhang has published over 80 research papers in prestigious journals and holds 18 Chinese invention patents. Below are some of her notable publications:

  1. Highly stable single Pt atomic sites anchored on aniline-stacked graphene for hydrogen evolution reaction

    • Authors: S Ye, F Luo, Q Zhang, P Zhang, T Xu, Q Wang, D He, L Guo, Y Zhang, …
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 474
  2. Highly charged ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes as lysosome‐localized photosensitizers for two‐photon photodynamic therapy

    • Authors: H Huang, B Yu, P Zhang, J Huang, Y Chen, G Gasser, L Ji, H Chao
    • Year: 2015
    • Citations: 445
  3. Targeted photoredox catalysis in cancer cells

    • Authors: H Huang, S Banerjee, K Qiu, P Zhang, O Blacque, T Malcomson, …
    • Year: 2019
    • Citations: 398
  4. Advances in the design of organometallic anticancer complexes

    • Authors: P Zhang, PJ Sadler
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 392
  5. New designs for phototherapeutic transition metal complexes

    • Authors: C Imberti, P Zhang, H Huang, PJ Sadler
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 377
  6. Ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes as mitochondria-targeted two-photon photodynamic anticancer agents

    • Authors: J Liu, Y Chen, G Li, P Zhang, C Jin, L Zeng, L Ji, H Chao
    • Year: 2015
    • Citations: 278
  7. Targeting nucleus DNA with a cyclometalated dipyridophenazineruthenium (II) complex

    • Authors: H Huang, P Zhang, B Yu, Y Chen, J Wang, L Ji, H Chao
    • Year: 2014
    • Citations: 230
  8. Redox‐active metal complexes for anticancer therapy

    • Authors: P Zhang, PJ Sadler
    • Year: 2017
    • Citations: 213
  9. Boosting the alkaline hydrogen evolution of Ru nanoclusters anchored on B/N–doped graphene by accelerating water dissociation

    • Authors: S Ye, F Luo, T Xu, P Zhang, H Shi, S Qin, J Wu, C He, X Ouyang, Q Zhang, …
    • Year: 2020
    • Citations: 174
  10. Noncovalent ruthenium (II) complexes–single-walled carbon nanotube composites for bimodal photothermal and photodynamic therapy with near-infrared irradiation

  • Authors: P Zhang, H Huang, J Huang, H Chen, J Wang, K Qiu, D Zhao, L Ji, …
  • Year: 2015
  • Citations: 167

Conclusion 🎯

Pingyu Zhang is a leading researcher in the field of metal-based tumor therapy, with significant contributions to the development of innovative anti-cancer strategies. Through her pioneering work in sonodynamic and photodynamic therapy, she continues to push the boundaries of cancer treatment. Her numerous accolades, high-impact publications, and patents underscore her influence in the scientific community, making her a key figure in advancing metal complex drug research.