Rong Zhong | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Rong Zhong | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Rong Zhong, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Professor Rong Zhong is an esteemed academic in the field of molecular and cancer epidemiology at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. With a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and postdoctoral training from Harvard Medical School, she has built a distinguished career in investigating genetic and environmental interactions in cancer development. Over the years, she has led 51 research projects, authored 169 peer-reviewed articles, and earned over 3,600 citations. Dr. Zhong’s collaborative work extends across national and international institutions, including Huazhong Agricultural University and the General Hospital of Central Theater Command. Recognized with the Natural Science Award of Hubei Province, she is also actively involved in several national scientific committees. Her commitment to advancing cancer prevention through precision medicine and early detection strategies reflects both her scientific acumen and societal impact, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research Output

    • 169 SCI/Scopus-indexed publications, many in high-impact journals like Gastroenterology, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, and Cancer Discovery.

    • Strong citation record with 3,697 citations on Web of Science, reflecting broad scientific influence.

  2. Innovative and Impactful Research

    • Focus on molecular and cancer epidemiology, particularly gene-environment interactions in gastrointestinal cancers, addressing a critical public health challenge.

    • Groundbreaking research on environmental risk factors (e.g., bisphenol A, tobacco smoke) and genetic susceptibility in cancer risk.

  3. Grants and Funding Leadership

    • Principal investigator of major national research projects, including National Natural Science Foundation of China grants and the Young Top-notch Talent Cultivation Program of Hubei Province.

  4. Recognition and Service

    • Recipient of the Natural Science Award of Hubei Province.

    • Serves on editorial boards of reputable journals such as Ebiomedicine and American Journal of Gastroenterology.

    • Active member in national scientific committees related to cancer prevention and epidemiology.

  5. Collaboration and Mentorship

    • Strong institutional and cross-disciplinary collaborations, including with Huazhong Agricultural University and military medical research institutions.

    • A demonstrated leader in mentoring young researchers in public health and biomedical science.

⚙️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. Industry Engagement & Technology Transfer

    • Although she holds 2 patents, there is limited mention of industry consultancy or commercialization, which could strengthen real-world impact.

  2. International Policy Influence

    • Expanding her involvement in international advisory boards or global health policy initiatives could further elevate her research visibility and societal contribution.

  3. Science Communication & Public Engagement

    • Enhanced participation in public education, community outreach, or policy translation could help bridge science and society, especially in preventive oncology.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Rong Zhong earned her PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the prestigious Huazhong University of Science and Technology, where she built the foundation for her future research excellence. To further expand her academic perspective, she completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, USA—an experience that enriched her global outlook and enhanced her methodological rigor in public health research. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Zhong has demonstrated a passion for understanding complex interactions between genes and environmental exposures, particularly in relation to cancer epidemiology. Her education, characterized by a blend of rigorous Chinese academic training and Western research exposure, has laid a strong interdisciplinary base. This robust academic background has equipped her with a unique skill set to lead impactful research in molecular epidemiology and precision prevention of gastrointestinal cancers.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Rong Zhong currently serves as a Professor at the School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. With extensive experience in cancer epidemiology, she has successfully led national and provincial research initiatives including projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Young Top-notch Talent Cultivation Program of Hubei Province. Over the years, she has been instrumental in mentoring young scientists, shaping national health policies, and advancing cancer prevention strategies in China. She also serves on editorial boards of high-impact journals such as Ebiomedicine and American Journal of Gastroenterology. Her experience bridges research, academic leadership, and international collaboration, reflecting her multidimensional contribution to science and public health. Her advisory roles in national committees focused on cancer prevention and epidemiology further underscore her influence and thought leadership in the field.

🔬 Research Focus:

Professor Zhong’s primary research focus lies in molecular and cancer epidemiology, with an emphasis on gastrointestinal cancers. Her work aims to elucidate the gene-environment interactions that contribute to cancer risk, leveraging large-scale cohort and case-control studies. By integrating genomic data with environmental exposures (e.g., diet, pollutants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals), she develops predictive models that enable early screening and personalized prevention strategies for high-risk populations. Her recent studies investigate interactions between genetic polymorphisms and substances like bisphenol A, tobacco smoke, and gut microbiota, especially in relation to colorectal and breast cancer. These contributions bridge the gap between basic science and clinical translation, offering a pathway toward precision public health. Her research not only advances scientific knowledge but also holds tangible implications for national cancer screening guidelines and individualized preventive healthcare strategies.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  1. 📘 Western-Style Diet, pks Island-Carrying Escherichia coli, and Colorectal Cancer: Analyses From Two Large Prospective Cohort Studies – Gastroenterology

  2. 🚬 In Utero and Childhood/Adolescence Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, Genetic Risk and Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Adulthood – AJRCCM

  3. 🧬 FOXA1 of regulatory variant associated with risk of breast cancer through allele-specific enhancer in the Chinese population – Breast Cancer

  4. 🧪 Genome-wide gene-bisphenol A, F and triclosan interaction analyses on urinary oxidative stress markers – Science of The Total Environment

  5. 🧫 Urinary bisphenol A and its interaction with CYP17A1 rs743572 are associated with breast cancer risk – Chemosphere

  6. 🧠 Animal-eRNAdb: a comprehensive animal enhancer RNA database – Nucleic Acids Research

  7. 🔬 Hepatocellular carcinoma risk variant modulates lncRNA HLA-DQB1-AS1 expression via a long-range enhancer–promoter interaction – Carcinogenesis

  8. 🧍‍♀️ Bisphenol A exposure, interaction with genetic variants and colorectal cancer via mediating oxidative stress biomarkers – Environmental Pollution

  9. 🧾 Discovery and Features of an Alkylating Signature in Colorectal Cancer – Cancer Discovery

  10. 🚨 Rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer — a call to action – Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology

📌 Conclusion:

Professor Rong Zhong is an outstanding and highly qualified candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her prolific output, innovative approaches to cancer risk assessment, and leadership in national scientific research firmly position her among the top-tier researchers in her field. Her contributions have laid the groundwork for precision public health, with real potential to transform early cancer detection and prevention strategies in China and globally.

Chang Feng | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chang Feng | Cancer Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chang Feng , Shanghai University , China

Chang Feng is a distinguished researcher in the fields of tumor molecular diagnosis, biosensing, and intelligent DNA. Born in Shanghai, China, on January 1, 1988, Chang Feng pursued a rigorous academic journey, completing his Ph.D. at Nanjing University (2015-2019) after earning his M.D. from Shanghai University (2012-2015). He is currently a lecturer at Shanghai University since 2019. Feng has contributed significantly to scientific advancements in cancer diagnostics, molecular biosensors, and cutting-edge DNA research. His works often involve the development of innovative detection techniques and the creation of novel DNA-based diagnostic systems. Feng has a collaborative approach, working with multiple researchers to achieve groundbreaking results. His publications in prestigious journals highlight his expertise in developing biosensors, RNA origami, and catalytic DNAzymes for biomedical applications.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

Chang Feng’s research is exceptional and well-suited for the Best Researcher Award. His expertise spans across tumor molecular diagnosis, biosensor development, and intelligent DNA systems. His contributions to cancer diagnostics, bioimaging, and biosensing technologies are groundbreaking. Feng has published several high-impact articles in leading journals, demonstrating significant advancements in DNAzymes, electrochemical biosensing, and RNA origami. His work in designing innovative DNA-based diagnostic platforms and cancer therapies reflects his ability to integrate chemistry, biology, and engineering, providing novel solutions for clinical applications. Feng’s interdisciplinary approach and leadership in the field have earned him numerous collaborations with researchers and institutions globally, further enhancing his credibility as a top-tier researcher.

Areas for Improvements:

While Feng has made remarkable contributions to scientific research, one area for improvement is expanding his focus to more clinical applications of his findings. Commercializing his biosensing technologies for real-world healthcare implementation would increase the practical impact of his work. Additionally, improving outreach through public science communication could help raise awareness of his advancements and engage a broader audience.

Education:

Chang Feng received his M.D. from Shanghai University in 2015, where he developed a strong foundation in molecular biology, diagnostics, and bioengineering. His doctoral journey continued at Nanjing University (2015-2019), where he obtained his Ph.D. focusing on tumor molecular diagnosis and biosensing technologies. During his time at Nanjing University, Feng’s research concentrated on the development of DNA-based biosensors and new methodologies for cancer detection. His education at these esteemed institutions provided him with the technical expertise necessary to pioneer groundbreaking research in the field of molecular diagnostics. Feng’s academic training involved rigorous coursework in molecular biology, chemical engineering, and bioinformatics, contributing significantly to his current work in bioimaging, biosensing, and the development of intelligent DNA systems.

Experience:

Chang Feng has a strong academic and research career, currently serving as a lecturer at Shanghai University since 2019. Prior to his current role, he earned his Ph.D. at Nanjing University (2015-2019) and M.D. from Shanghai University (2012-2015). Throughout his career, Feng has collaborated with leading researchers, contributing to the development of innovative biosensing technologies and cancer diagnostics. His work includes advancing DNA-based biosensors, DNAzyme probes, and other cutting-edge diagnostic tools. As a lecturer, Feng mentors graduate students and participates in academic teaching and research projects. He has been involved in several collaborative publications that have furthered the field of molecular biosensors, focusing on intelligent DNA-based systems and tumor detection methodologies. Feng’s research experience combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications, making him a recognized figure in the field of biosensor research and molecular diagnostics.

Research Focus:

Chang Feng’s primary research focus lies in tumor molecular diagnosis, biosensor development, and intelligent DNA systems. He is particularly interested in advancing technologies for cancer detection through the application of molecular biosensors, bioimaging, and intelligent DNA devices. His research explores the use of DNAzymes, catalytic DNA molecules, and RNA origami for targeted molecular detection, with a focus on enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of cancer diagnostics. Feng’s work also investigates the use of biosensors for the detection of small molecules, leveraging innovative electrochemical and fluorescence-based platforms. His interdisciplinary approach combines elements of chemistry, biology, and engineering to create advanced diagnostic systems with potential clinical applications. Feng is dedicated to improving the efficiency of diagnostic tools and is committed to developing more accurate and faster methods for early cancer detection and molecular analysis.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Single-cell analysis of highly metastatic circulating tumor cells by combining a self-folding induced release reaction with a cell capture microchip 🧬🔬 (Anal. Chem., 2021)
  2. Hierarchical biomarkers detection via a universal polydopamine probe catalyzed by a hexagonal star-nanostructured DNAzyme 🔬🧪 (Sensor. Actuat. B-Chem., 2022)
  3. Construction of a ternary complex based DNA logic nanomachine for a highly accurate imaging analysis of cancer cells 🧬💡 (ACS Sens., 2020)
  4. Lantern-shaped flexible RNA origami for Smad4 mRNA delivery and growth suppression of colorectal cancer 🧬🦠 (Nat. Commun., 2023)
  5. Liquid-colloid-solid modular assembly for three-dimensional electrochemical biosensing of small molecules 💧⚡ (Biosens. Bioelectron., 2024)
  6. Dual-targets binding protection mediated rolling circle transcription with tandem fluorescent RNA aptamers for label-free detection of liver cancer biomarkers 🧬🦠 (Sensor. Actuat. B-Chem., 2024)
  7. Cell-Free Biosensing Genetic Circuit Coupled with Ribozyme Cleavage Reaction for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Small Molecules 🧬⚡ (ACS Synth. Biol., 2023)
  8. A portable and partitioned DNA hydrogel chip for multitarget detection 💧🧬 (Lab Chip., 2023)

Conclusion:

Chang Feng’s research in tumor molecular diagnostics, biosensors, and intelligent DNA is truly cutting-edge. His scientific rigor, collaboration with top researchers, and groundbreaking discoveries in cancer detection and biosensing technologies make him a deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. By continuing to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, Feng will likely have an even greater impact in advancing medical diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.