Yanhua Liang | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Yanhua Liang | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yanhua Liang, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, China

Dr. Yan-Hua Liang,  is a distinguished dermatologist, academic, and researcher. He serves as Chairman and Chief Physician in the Department of Dermatology at Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University. With over two decades of clinical and research experience, he is widely recognized for his contributions to dermatological science and translational medicine. Dr. Liang holds dual PhDs and has trained internationally, including a postdoctoral fellowship at The Jackson Laboratory in the U.S. His commitment to advancing psoriasis therapy, dermatological immunology, and healthcare system improvements is evident in his prolific publication record and mentorship roles. He actively collaborates with global experts and consistently publishes in high-impact journals. Through a career grounded in clinical excellence and research innovation, Dr. Liang continues to shape the field of dermatology in China and beyond.\

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

Strengths for the Award

  1. Proven Academic Excellence

    • Holds M.D., dual Ph.D.s, and completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at The Jackson Laboratory, USA — reflecting strong scientific and international credentials.

  2. Clinical Leadership & Longstanding Experience

    • Over 20 years in dermatology, currently serving as Chairman and Chief Physician at a major university-affiliated hospital.

  3. Research Output & Innovation

    • 10+ high-quality peer-reviewed publications (2023–2025) in leading journals like Scientific Reports, Drug Safety, Frontiers in Medicine, and Dermatology.

    • Focus on real-world studies, biologic therapies, psoriasis, autoimmune skin diseases, and translational dermatology — addressing clinically relevant problems.

  4. Mentorship and Academic Contributions

    • Active Ph.D. supervisor, guiding the next generation of dermatological researchers.

    • Collaborates with both domestic and international institutions, boosting China’s contribution to global dermatology research.

  5. Multidisciplinary Impact & Public Health Relevance

    • Involved in infectious disease preparedness (Monkeypox) and healthcare system education for medical professionals.

Areas for Improvement

  1. International Visibility & Awards

    • While the academic record is strong, international keynote roles, global society leadership, or major global awards are not yet highlighted. These would further elevate his candidacy.

  2. Broader Interdisciplinary Integration

    • Could explore collaborative work in AI-driven dermatology, digital diagnostics, or bioinformatics, which are emerging fields in skin science.

Education (150 words)

Dr. Liang’s academic journey reflects a steadfast pursuit of medical excellence. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine from Gannan Medical University (1996–2001), followed by a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Dermatology from Anhui Medical University (2001–2007). To further enrich his scientific acumen, he completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Jackson Laboratory, USA (2007–2010), a premier institution for biomedical research. His education combines strong clinical training with rigorous research methodology, particularly in genetics and dermatological sciences. Dr. Liang’s dual PhDs signify his interdisciplinary focus and commitment to integrating basic science into clinical innovation. His international training has enabled him to bridge Eastern and Western medical practices and adopt a global perspective in addressing skin diseases. With a strong foundation in immunodermatology, translational medicine, and evidence-based treatments, Dr. Liang’s academic background is a cornerstone of his success as a clinician-scientist and mentor.

Experience (150 words)

Dr. Yan-Hua Liang has over 20 years of experience in clinical dermatology and academic leadership. He currently holds the title of Chairman and Professor at the Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University (since 2016). Prior to this, he was a Professor at Nanfang Hospital, also part of Southern Medical University (2012–2015). His clinical expertise spans psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and autoimmune skin diseases, with a focus on biologic therapies and translational dermatology. He has treated thousands of patients and led major clinical trials in China. As a Ph.D. supervisor, Dr. Liang has mentored numerous postgraduate students and emerging researchers. His leadership has helped modernize dermatological practices, elevate research standards, and foster international collaborations. Recognized for his medical innovations and deep patient care, Dr. Liang stands out as a thought leader in dermatology in the Greater Bay Area and nationally.

Research Focus (150 words)

Dr. Liang’s primary research interests lie in psoriasis treatment, immunodermatology, and translational skin research. He is a pioneer in real-world data analysis of biologic therapies for psoriasis, as demonstrated in several of his prospective, multicenter studies. His focus also includes the gut-skin axis, autoimmune dermatoses, and health policy studies aimed at improving access to dermatological care. In recent years, he has expanded his work into emerging infectious diseases like monkeypox, integrating public health into clinical dermatology. His work is often collaborative, involving multi-disciplinary teams and cross-border research. Dr. Liang is especially committed to improving healthcare delivery systems in dermatology, with a unique emphasis on evidence-based treatment, quality of life metrics, and healthcare worker training. His future focus aims to further explore microbiome-immune interactions in skin disease and introduce AI-driven diagnostic support systems. His research portfolio aligns with global dermatological priorities, positioning him as a leader in innovation and care.

Publications – One-line Format with Emojis

  1.  Cutaneous and systemic improvements in psoriasis after biologics in real-world study – Scientific Reports, 2025

  2.  Gut microbiota and psoriasis: A systematic review – Eur J Pharmacol, 2025

  3.  Hereditary Angioedema in China: Awareness and Advocacy from Greater Bay to Global – Clin Exp Allergy, 2025

  4.  Healthcare workers’ monkeypox knowledge and confidence survey – World J Clin Cases, 2025

  5.  Reducing recurrence of Condyloma Acuminatum via lesional auto-transplantation – J Cosmetics, Dermatol Sci Appl, 2024

  6.  Atopic Dermatitis: From Bench to Bedside – Front Med, 2024

  7.  Ixekizumab safety in Chinese plaque psoriasis patients – 12-week observational study – Drug Saf, 2024

  8. Effectiveness of Ixekizumab in special area involvement psoriasis patients – Dermatol Ther (Heidelb), 2024

  9. Quality of life and predictors of complete skin clearance in psoriasis – Dermatology, 2023

  10. Ixekizumab safety and efficacy in Chinese psoriasis patients – Prospective real-world study – Adv Ther, 2023

Conclusion

Dr. Yan-Hua Liang is a highly accomplished clinician-scientist whose integrated focus on clinical excellence, academic mentorship, and research productivity positions him as a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His commitment to real-world research, particularly in psoriasis and biologic therapy, is both impactful and timely.

Given his sustained contributions, ongoing innovative work, and national academic leadership, Dr. Liang exemplifies the qualities of a modern, translational researcher who is significantly advancing dermatology in China and beyond.

Haiping Zhang | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Prof. Haiping Zhang | Signal Transduction Mechanisms | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Haiping Zhang, anhui agricultural university, China

Prof. Haiping Zhang is a distinguished plant molecular biologist at the College of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University, China. He is affiliated with the Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Improvement on Southern Yellow & Huai River Valley, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. With a strong focus on improving wheat productivity and resilience, Prof. Zhang has made significant contributions to understanding gene regulation mechanisms in seed dormancy, germination, and yield traits. His recent work investigates transcription factors and their impact on hormone biosynthesis, especially gibberellin and ethylene signaling. Widely published in high-impact journals, his research stands at the intersection of molecular genetics and applied agronomy, aiming to develop cultivars with improved yield stability and adaptability. Prof. Zhang is recognized for his leadership in collaborative research and his commitment to training young scientists in advanced genetic and biotechnological tools for sustainable wheat improvement.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. 🔬 High-Impact Research in Wheat Genetics
    Prof. Zhang’s research addresses essential topics in crop science, particularly seed dormancy and gibberellin regulation, which are critical for yield stability and pre-harvest sprouting resistance in wheat. His studies contribute directly to improving food security and crop resilience.

  2. 📚 Recent Publications in Reputed Journals
    In 2024–2025, he has published in prestigious, peer-reviewed journals such as:

    • International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

    • Environmental and Experimental Botany

    • BMC Plant Biology
      These are respected outlets for plant biology and biotechnology research.

  3. 🎯 Focused and Coherent Research Theme
    His work follows a consistent and meaningful trajectory, exploring transcription factors (e.g., TaERF-2A, TaNAC018-7D) and their regulation of GA biosynthesis genes, directly tied to agronomically important traits.

  4. 🧩 Integrative Methodology
    Prof. Zhang uses an integrative approach, combining molecular biology, genomics (e.g., GWAS), and functional gene analysis to achieve both mechanistic insights and breeding applications.

  5. 🇨🇳 National Importance and Institutional Role
    As a professor at a leading Chinese agricultural university and a core contributor to a Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory, his research has both scientific and policy-level relevance in China.

⚙️ Areas for Improvement:

  1. 🌍 Broader International Collaboration
    While his work is impactful, future projects could benefit from expanding global collaborations—particularly with wheat research groups in North America, Europe, and South Asia—to raise visibility and enable joint innovation.

  2. 📣 Visibility and Science Communication
    Prof. Zhang could enhance his global research profile by:

    • Presenting at international conferences

    • Engaging in more open science or outreach platforms

    • Publishing review articles or perspective pieces

  3. 📊 Citations and Impact Tracking
    As the current papers have 0 citations (likely due to recency), tracking future impact (via citation metrics or media attention) will further support long-term recognition.

🎓 Education:

Prof. Haiping Zhang earned his undergraduate degree in Agronomy from Anhui Agricultural University, laying a solid foundation in crop sciences and plant physiology. He pursued his Master’s in Crop Genetics and Breeding, where he developed a keen interest in molecular plant biology. Driven by curiosity in genetic regulation, he obtained a Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Genetics, focusing on hormone signaling and gene expression in cereal crops. His doctoral research emphasized gene-function analysis related to stress tolerance and developmental pathways. To deepen his expertise, Prof. Zhang has also participated in national and international training programs, including advanced workshops in genome editing, transcriptomics, and plant phenotyping. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to interdisciplinary learning, combining classical breeding principles with cutting-edge molecular tools. This strong educational background has equipped him with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex challenges in wheat improvement and to lead high-impact research projects across China and beyond.

🧪 Experience:

Prof. Haiping Zhang currently serves as a senior professor and principal investigator at the College of Agronomy, Anhui Agricultural University. With over 20 years of experience in plant science, he has led numerous research projects funded by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the National Natural Science Foundation. He is a core member of the Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Improvement, where he mentors graduate students and postdocs in functional genomics and molecular breeding. Prof. Zhang’s expertise spans transcription factor analysis, gene editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas), and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). He actively collaborates with national wheat breeding centers and has served on editorial boards of agricultural science journals. He is frequently invited as a reviewer and speaker at plant biotechnology conferences. His professional experience reflects a rare blend of teaching, research, and applied innovation in one of the world’s most critical food crops—wheat.

🔬 Research Focus:

Prof. Haiping Zhang’s research centers on molecular regulation of seed dormancy, germination, and yield traits in wheat, with a strong emphasis on plant hormone biosynthesis and transcription factor networks. His work integrates ethylene- and gibberellin-responsive gene pathways to elucidate the mechanisms by which specific genes such as TaGA2ox2-3B and TaGA7ox-A1 influence critical agronomic traits. Prof. Zhang applies advanced tools such as RNA-seq, CRISPR gene editing, and GWAS to dissect regulatory pathways at the genomic level. He also focuses on identifying key genetic variants associated with desirable traits across diverse wheat populations. His aim is to provide molecular targets for wheat breeders seeking to enhance seed viability, resistance to pre-harvest sprouting, and yield stability under varying environmental conditions. By linking basic gene function with applied breeding, his research contributes to China’s national food security strategy and offers global relevance in sustainable crop improvement.

📚 Publication Top Notes:

  1. 📘 The ethylene responsive factor TaERF-2A activates gibberellin 2-oxidase gene TaGA2ox2-3B expression to enhance seed dormancy in wheat – International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025

  2. 🌱 A wheat NAC transcription factor, TaNAC018-7D, regulates seed dormancy and germination by binding to the GA biosynthesis gene TaGA7ox-A1 – Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2025

  3. 🌾 Single- and multi-locus genome-wide association study reveals genomic regions of thirteen yield-related traits in common wheat – BMC Plant Biology, 2024

🔚 Conclusion:

Prof. Haiping Zhang is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His research is timely, targeted, and methodologically sound—addressing key genetic levers for wheat yield and dormancy control. His publications reflect scientific maturity and innovation, and his institutional role enhances his national significance. With expanded outreach and collaborations, his influence could grow further, both in China and internationally.