Dr. Zou, born in 1993, is a prolific scientist in the field of nanomedicine and cancer theranostics. As a Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore, he has already amassed an impressive research portfolio with 85+ publications, 5000+ citations, and an H-index of 37, which is a remarkable achievement for a young researcher under 35. He has consistently demonstrated leadership by securing competitive grants as a Principal Investigator, contributing to high-impact projects, and shaping the research landscape through editorial and peer review roles. His collaborations with top-tier institutions like the NIH (USA) and his active role in cutting-edge research further strengthen his candidacy 🌍.

🔹 Education & Experience 

Dr. Jianhua Zou earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry from Suzhou Institute of Technology (2011–2015) 🧪 and completed his Ph.D. at Nanjing Tech University (2015–2020) under Prof. Wei Huang, a renowned academician 👨‍🏫. He later advanced his research career with a prestigious fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, first as a visiting scholar (2018–2020) and then as a postdoctoral fellow (2020–2021) 🇺🇸. Since 2021, he has been affiliated with the National University of Singapore, initially as a Research Fellow and currently as a Senior Research Fellow 👨‍🔬. Throughout his academic journey, he has worked under top-tier mentors including Prof. Xiaoyuan Chen and Dr. Richard Leapman. Dr. Zou’s experience spans interdisciplinary research, bridging chemistry, nanotechnology, immunology, and diagnostic imaging. His progressive academic and professional milestones demonstrate a commitment to innovation, scientific rigor, and translational medical impact 🌐.

🔹 Professional Development 

Dr. Jianhua Zou’s professional development is deeply rooted in multidisciplinary and translational research 🌍. From his early training in coordination chemistry to pioneering nanomaterials for photodynamic therapy, his evolution reflects a strategic fusion of basic science and clinical application 🔗. At the NIH, he honed his skills in biomedical imaging and collaborated on projects that interfaced with advanced instrumentation and immunological diagnostics. His current role at NUS allows him to lead novel research projects, supervise students, and contribute to high-impact collaborations 🌟. As a guest editor and journal reviewer, he remains actively involved in shaping the future of biomedical sciences. He has also been recognized for delivering invited talks internationally, including a presentation at the NIH’s NIBIB Board of Scientific Counselors meeting 🗣️. His ongoing development is bolstered by competitive grants, strategic international partnerships, and an expanding portfolio of translational innovations 🧬.

🏅 Awards and Recognitions

• 🧪 Open Fund Young Individual Research Grant (OFYIRG) – Principal Investigator, Singapore (2022–2024)

• 💉 Singapore NRF Competitive Research Program – Collaborator on individualized cancer vaccines (2023–2028)

• 🧬 OFIRG – Co-investigator on nanovaccine for personalized immunotherapy (2023–2028)

• 💊 OFIRG – Co-investigator on mRNA vaccine for bladder cancer (2024–2029)

• 🌱 OFIRG – Nanodrug for gut microbiota modulation in colorectal cancer (2024–2029)

• ❤️ OFIRG – Nanogel delivery system for atherosclerosis (2025–2030)

• 🎤 Invited Speaker – NIH NIBIB Board of Scientific Counselors, USA (2020)

• 📝 Distinguished Essay Award – Jingbo Co Pte Ltd. (2020)

• 🧑‍⚖️ Editorial Roles – Guest Editor (Theranostics), Board Member (Chinese Chemical Letters)

• 📚 Peer Reviewer – Advanced Materials, AFM, Angew. Chem., Nano-Micro Letters, etc.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Jianhua Zou’s research centers on nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and cancer theranostics 🧪. His primary focus lies in the design of smart nanomaterials for photo-immunotherapy, targeted drug delivery, and diagnostic imaging 📸. Specifically, he explores Type I photosensitizers, nanoplatforms responsive to tumor microenvironments, and dual-responsive nanosystems for precise therapeutic interventions 🎯. He integrates chemistry, photophysics, and immunology to develop next-generation nanovaccines, photodynamic agents, and imaging tools capable of tracking immune responses and disease progression. His interdisciplinary work targets major health challenges such as atherosclerosis, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer 🧠💊. With a strong commitment to personalized medicine and translational outcomes, Dr. Zou’s research transforms lab discoveries into clinically relevant technologies 🚀. His contributions span from fundamental innovation in nanoparticle design to applied strategies for immunotherapy amplification and disease monitoring — making him a leading figure in cancer nanotheranostics 🔬.