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.