Zhirong Tan | Gene Regulation Epigenetics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Zhirong Tan | Gene Regulation Epigenetics | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Zhirong Tan  , Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , China

Professor Zhirong Tan is a leading Chinese expert in pharmacogenomics and clinical pharmacology. Currently a professor at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, he also serves as the Director of the Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratory and Deputy Director of the Drug Analysis Center. He has been instrumental in over 300 clinical trials, pushing forward the frontiers of precision medicine, especially in colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. With over 20 SCI papers, multiple patents, and co-authorship of four books, he’s widely recognized for his work in pharmacokinetics and biomarker discovery. A national GCP and GMP inspector, Prof. Tan actively contributes to pharmaceutical regulation and innovation in China. His academic and industry partnerships reflect a robust foundation in translational research and real-world drug development.

Publication Profile: 

Google Scholar

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Extensive Research Contributions
    Prof. Zhirong Tan has made outstanding contributions to clinical pharmacology, pharmacogenetics, and metabolomics over two decades. His research has provided critical insights into drug metabolism, biomarker discovery, and precision medicine, especially in colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

  2. Prolific Publication Record
    With over 22 SCI-indexed publications (first or corresponding author) and 6 CSCD papers, Prof. Tan’s research has achieved over 3550 citations and an H-index of 33 on Web of Science—evidence of the high impact and recognition of his work.

  3. Strong National & Industry Collaborations
    He has participated in or led 300+ clinical trials and secured 5 “Million+” industry-funded projects, reflecting strong ties with both academia and industry. His leadership in national-level projects, such as the “Major New Drug Development” program, showcases his influence in China’s healthcare innovation.

  4. Intellectual Property and Innovation
    With 3 granted patents and 3 under review, Prof. Tan’s ability to translate research into practical applications is evident. His individualized esomeprazole dosing regimen highlights innovation at the clinical level.

  5. Regulatory & Policy Contributions
    As a national GCP/GMP inspector, he plays a pivotal role in drug trial ethics and compliance in China. He also holds leadership roles in pharmacogenomics committees, further demonstrating his commitment to public health advancement.

  6. Academic Mentorship and Editorial Work
    In addition to research, Prof. Tan contributes as a journal reviewer, co-author of four textbooks, and mentor to the next generation of scientists, reinforcing his role as a thought leader in the field.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  1. International Visibility
    While Prof. Tan’s national presence is remarkable, further international collaborations, invited keynotes at global conferences, or leading roles in global consortia could enhance his visibility and expand the influence of his work.

  2. Broader Publication Range
    Publishing more frequently in top-tier international journals (e.g., Nature, The Lancet, NEJM) would increase the global academic reach of his findings.

  3. Open Science & Data Sharing
    As the field moves toward transparency, incorporating open-access publications and shared data repositories could boost both reproducibility and citations.

🎓 Education:

Professor Zhirong Tan obtained his Ph.D. from Central South University, a premier Chinese institution, where he laid the groundwork for his expertise in clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenomics. He later pursued postdoctoral research at the School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, one of the top pharmaceutical research institutions in the United States. This international experience enabled him to gain a global perspective in drug metabolism, biomarker identification, and translational pharmacology. His academic training focused on cutting-edge methodologies such as metabolomics, pharmacokinetics, and precision medicine. Through continuous education and research, he has built a reputation as a highly skilled pharmacologist whose work bridges basic research and clinical applications.

💼 Experience:

With a research career spanning over two decades since 1998, Professor Zhirong Tan has led and participated in numerous national-level and provincial-level projects, including China’s National Science and Technology Major Projects. He currently holds multiple leadership positions at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Over the years, he has completed major research grants from NSFC, the Hunan Province, and the Ministry of Science and Technology. As a GCP and GMP inspector, Prof. Tan has overseen more than 300 clinical trials, ensuring drug development meets regulatory and ethical standards. His experience also extends to industry collaboration, with successful execution of 5 “Million+” funded projects and influential roles in pharma-academic alliances. A frequent peer reviewer and contributor to international journals, his work influences both the scientific community and regulatory frameworks.

🔬 Research Focus:

Professor Tan’s primary research focus lies in clinical pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, and metabolomics, particularly for colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. His work aims to identify and validate biomarkers for disease diagnosis, drug efficacy, and toxicity prediction. A major contributor to China’s “Major New Drug Development” initiative, he has developed personalized esomeprazole dosing regimens by studying genetic polymorphisms, SNPs, and microRNA interactions. His research also explores the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease using metabolomic profiling, offering insights into early detection and potential therapeutics. He applies advanced bioanalytical methods to understand inter-individual variability in drug metabolism and therapeutic response. His projects have real-world clinical implications, transforming how drugs are prescribed, regulated, and monitored. Through his pioneering work, Prof. Tan contributes significantly to the evolution of precision medicine in China.

📚 Publication Top Notes:

  1. 📊 Role of BCRP 421C>A polymorphism on rosuvastatin pharmacokinetics in healthy Chinese males

  2. ❤️ Gly389Arg polymorphism of β1‐adrenergic receptor and cardiovascular response to metoprolol

  3. 💊 CYP2C19 ultra-rapid metabolizer genotype affects voriconazole pharmacokinetics

  4. 🧬 HLA‐B35:01 allele as biomarker for Polygonum multiflorum–induced liver injury*

  5. 🌿 Repeated berberine administration inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans

  6. 💉 Effect of SLCO1B1 polymorphism on pharmacokinetics of nateglinide

  7. 🧪 Assessment of cytochrome P450 activity by five‐drug cocktail approach

  8. ☕ Plasma caffeine metabolite ratio linked to CYP1A2 polymorphisms

  9. 🔬 Inducibility of CYP1A2 by omeprazole associated with genetic polymorphism

  10. 🧫 Ile118Val polymorphism of CYP3A4 affects simvastatin lipid-lowering efficacy

📝 Conclusion:

Professor Zhirong Tan is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His record of scientific excellence, clinical innovation, and regulatory leadership clearly positions him as a key contributor to modern pharmacology. His integrated approach—spanning basic science, clinical trials, and health policy—has had a measurable impact on patient care and drug development in China.

While there is room to further expand his global footprint, his accomplishments to date already demonstrate the caliber, commitment, and consistency expected of a world-class researcher.

Xingting Guo | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Xingting Guo | Stem Cell Research | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Xingting Guo , Peking University Third Hospital , China

Dr. Xingting Guo is a dedicated postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, where she has been working since 2018. With a strong academic foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology, her research delves into stem cell biology, cellular differentiation, and tumorigenesis using Drosophila and mouse models. Her expertise lies in integrating genetics, biochemistry, single-cell sequencing, and bioinformatics to unravel mechanisms of cell fate specification and intestinal homeostasis. Dr. Guo has co-authored several high-impact publications and has presented her research at both national and international conferences. Her contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of enteroendocrine cells (EECs), tissue identity, and inter-organ communication. Passionate and detail-oriented, she is actively contributing to biomedical sciences with a vision to translate fundamental biology into therapeutic insights. Her work is paving the way for novel treatments for metabolic diseases and cancers.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Innovative Research Focus: Dr. Guo has made pioneering contributions in stem cell biology, particularly in understanding cell fate specification, enteroendocrine diversity, and tumor suppression using Drosophila and murine models.

  2. Multidisciplinary Skillset: She integrates genetics, high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, organoid culture, and in vivo models, showcasing deep technical expertise.

  3. High-Impact Publications: Co-first author in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including Cell Reports, Nature Communications, and FEBS Journal.

  4. Leadership in Research: From graduate researcher to postdoctoral fellow, she has led multiple independent projects, contributing novel findings to developmental and regenerative biology.

  5. International Recognition: Regular presenter at top-tier conferences globally, including the European Drosophila Research Conference and Annual Drosophila Research Conference (USA).

  6. Research Funding: Successfully secured National Natural Science Foundation of China funding, reflecting scientific merit and recognition.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Collaboration: Expanding collaborations outside her current institute or internationally may enhance the translational reach and impact of her research.

  2. Mentorship Roles: While her research is strong, formal mentorship roles (e.g., supervising Ph.D. students) or teaching contributions could further demonstrate leadership.

  3. Clinical Translation: Though her mouse model work touches on therapeutic discovery, publishing more translational or clinical-facing studies could boost her impact in applied biomedical research.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Xingting Guo earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the College of Life Sciences at Beijing Normal University (2012–2018), where she began her in-depth research on stem cell biology and tissue differentiation in Drosophila. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering at Nanjing Agricultural University (2008–2012), where she was honored with multiple scholarships for academic excellence. Throughout her education, she developed a robust foundation in molecular biology, genetics, and developmental biology, equipping her with the skills to tackle complex biological questions. Her academic journey has been characterized by continuous academic excellence, curiosity-driven research, and a commitment to uncovering the molecular mechanisms of health and disease. Her education laid the groundwork for her successful transition to cutting-edge postdoctoral research in developmental biology and regenerative medicine.

💼 Experience:

Dr. Guo began her research career at NIBS Beijing as a graduate student in 2012, transitioning into a postdoctoral fellow in 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Rongwen Xi. Her research primarily uses Drosophila intestinal systems and murine models to explore the regulation of cellular identity, differentiation, and plasticity. She has led multiple projects on tumor suppression, transcriptional regulation, and enteroendocrine diversity using advanced techniques like genetic manipulation, single-cell RNA sequencing, and organoid cultures. Additionally, she contributes to translational research by identifying drug targets for diabetes-related therapy by reprogramming intestinal cells into insulin-producing β-cells. Her interdisciplinary approach and long-standing expertise in stem cell biology highlight her versatility and innovation in research. Her consistent progression from graduate student to independent researcher reflects her strong scientific rigor and leadership in high-impact studies.

🏆 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Xingting Guo has been recognized for her academic excellence and scientific contributions through numerous honors. During her Ph.D., she was awarded the First Class Academic Scholarship for two consecutive years (2014–2016). As an undergraduate, she earned the prestigious Cyrus Tang Scholarship four times, along with the First Class Scholarship at Nanjing Agricultural University. In recent years, she has taken on the role of a peer reviewer for Bio-protocols, highlighting her engagement with the scientific community. Dr. Guo’s research excellence has led her to represent her work at top-tier conferences, including the Annual Drosophila Research Conference (USA) and the European Drosophila Research Conference (Switzerland). Her contributions were also supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 3210050518), demonstrating her ability to secure competitive funding. These accolades mark her as a rising star in molecular and developmental biology.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Guo’s research focuses on the molecular regulation of stem cell differentiation, cellular identity maintenance, and neuroendocrine cell plasticity using Drosophila and mouse models. She investigates how transcription factors such as ttk69 influence enteroendocrine (EEC) specification, tissue homeostasis, and tumor suppression. Using cutting-edge tools like CRISPR, single-cell transcriptomics, and in vivo lineage tracing, she deciphers how intestinal stem cells differentiate into diverse terminal cell types. Her recent work explores how intestinal EECs regulate systemic physiology via neuropeptides in response to environmental cues like starvation and mating. In parallel, she studies cell-fate reprogramming in mammals to identify potential therapeutic strategies for diabetes by inducing insulin-producing cells in the gut. By bridging basic biology with translational goals, her work contributes to regenerative medicine, oncology, and metabolic disease research.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

  • 🧠 Cell-fate conversion of intestinal cells in adult Drosophila midgut by depleting a single transcription factor, Nature Communications, 2024

  • 🔍 The Specification and Function of Enteroendocrine Cells in Drosophila and Mammals: A Comparative Review, FEBS Journal, 2021

  • 🧬 A Switch in Tissue Stem Cell Identity Causes Neuroendocrine Tumors in Drosophila Gut, Cell Reports, 2020

  • 🧫 The Cellular Diversity and Transcription Factor Code of Drosophila Enteroendocrine Cells, Cell Reports, 2019

  • 🧬 Division of Labor: Roles of Groucho and CtBP in Notch-Mediated Lateral Inhibition, Stem Cell Reports, 2019

  • 📘 Signaling Pathways Regulating Stem Cells, Book Chapter, Springer, 2015

  • 🛑 Ttk69 acts as a master repressor of enteroendocrine cell specification, Development, 2015

  • 🧪 EGFR and Notch signaling regulate gastric stem cells, Cell Research, 2014

  • 🧠 Sox9 Ortholog Regulates Intestinal Homeostasis and Regeneration in Drosophila, Cell Reports, 2020

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Xingting Guo is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her exceptional track record in stem cell biology, cellular reprogramming, and disease modeling makes her a rising star in the life sciences. With a unique combination of technical excellence, scientific innovation, and publication strength, she has already made a significant impact on our understanding of intestinal cell biology and endocrine regulation. Addressing a few career development aspects—like expanding collaborative networks and clinical translation—will make her an even more formidable leader in the field. Given her achievements, potential, and contributions, she is strongly recommended for this prestigious honor.