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👤
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Strengths for the Awards✨
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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:
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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
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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
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Targeted photoredox catalysis in cancer cells
- Authors: H Huang, S Banerjee, K Qiu, P Zhang, O Blacque, T Malcomson, …
- Year: 2019
- Citations: 398
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Advances in the design of organometallic anticancer complexes
- Authors: P Zhang, PJ Sadler
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 392
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New designs for phototherapeutic transition metal complexes
- Authors: C Imberti, P Zhang, H Huang, PJ Sadler
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 377
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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
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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
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Redox‐active metal complexes for anticancer therapy
- Authors: P Zhang, PJ Sadler
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 213
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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
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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.
