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

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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.