Prof. Ying Xu | China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences | China
Dr. Ying Xu is a distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. With extensive expertise in reproductive pharmacology and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), she has made significant contributions to understanding female reproductive health through innovative TCM-based research. Her prolific academic career spans over two decades, with a focus on pharmacology, germline stem cells, and metabolomics. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications and received multiple national research awards. Dr. Xu is also a dedicated mentor, serving as a master’s and doctoral advisor in prestigious institutions such as the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her work bridges traditional knowledge and modern pharmacological techniques to explore therapeutic interventions for conditions like infertility, ovarian dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances. Through international collaboration and pioneering research, Dr. Xu has become a leading voice in integrating Eastern and Western medicinal paradigms.
Publication Profile:
Education:
Dr. Ying Xu received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2010 from the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her doctoral work laid the foundation for her research in reproductive pharmacology using traditional formulations. In 2009, she participated in academic visitor studies at London Metropolitan University, expanding her global research perspectives. She earned her M.S. in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2006, and a B.S. in Biological Pharmacy from Jilin University in 2000. Dr. Xu’s academic journey reflects a strong grounding in biomedical sciences with a specialized focus on the integration of pharmacology and traditional practices. Her education path is a testament to a progressive, interdisciplinary approach, building the expertise required to explore TCM through modern scientific lenses, particularly in female reproductive and endocrine health.
Professional Experience:
Dr. Xu has served as Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica since 2020, contributing to high-level academic leadership and guiding doctoral research. She has been a Master’s Supervisor at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2018, fostering the next generation of TCM researchers. Between 2014 and 2019, she held the position of Associate Professor at the same institute, where she led several important projects in reproductive pharmacology. Her role spans teaching, research, mentorship, and international collaboration. With nearly two decades of professional academic engagement, Dr. Xu’s experience is marked by consistent research productivity, leadership in laboratory-based studies, and significant contributions to national projects on women’s reproductive health. Her multidisciplinary approach combines classical TCM theories with modern biochemical and pharmacological techniques, leading to discoveries in ovarian reserve function, stem cell therapies, and hormonal disorders.
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Ying Xu has received several prestigious awards recognizing her innovative research in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Notably, she was the second recipient on three significant awards from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine:
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Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize, 2016) – for research on compatibility in TCM based on the Fanghai treatment.
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Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize, 2016) – for pharmacodynamic characterization in anti-compatibility TCM practices.
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Science and Technology Progress Award (Third Prize, 2013) – for her work on the effect of Coptis chinensis on hemolytic jaundice in neonates.
These awards validate her impactful contributions in merging traditional therapeutic insights with contemporary medical applications. Her work in women’s reproductive pharmacology using TCM formulations continues to attract national recognition and supports advancements in female health and fertility.
Research Focus:
Dr. Xu’s research focuses on the pharmacological mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a specialized interest in female reproductive health, ovarian reserve, hormonal regulation, and germline stem cell therapies. Using advanced techniques like metabolomics, UPLC/Q-TOF-MS, and Notch signaling pathway analysis, her studies investigate how TCM formulations like Cistanches Herba, Semen Cuscutae, and QingYan Formula impact fertility, menopause, and ovarian function. Her research spans both in vivo (animal models) and in vitro (cell-based) studies, aiming to decode the biochemical pathways behind TCM efficacy. Dr. Xu is especially interested in kidney-Yang deficiency models, ovarian germline stem cells, and endocrine system modulation. Her interdisciplinary work bridges classical TCM theory with modern pharmaceutical sciences, paving the way for evidence-based TCM applications in gynecology and reproductive endocrinology. This holistic yet data-driven approach positions her at the forefront of innovative, woman-centered integrative health research.
Publications Top Notes:
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Cistanche total glycoside capsule promotes sperm maturation and fertility via the NELL2 Lumicrine pathway (J Ethnopharmacol, 2025)
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Cistanche deserticola improves ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis via lipid metabolism regulation (J Ethnopharmacol, 2024)
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QingYan Formula alleviates perimenopausal syndrome via UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS-based metabolomics (J Pharm Biomed Anal, 2024)
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Cistanches Herba and reproductive outcomes: A comprehensive review (Phytomedicine, 2024)
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Semen Cuscutae flavonoids protect ovarian germline stem cells via Notch signaling (Stem Cell Rev Rep, 2024)
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Triptolide’s reproductive toxicity in arthritic female rats (Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi, 2024)
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Isolation and culture of ovarian germline stem cells in mice (Genomics Appl Biol, 2023)
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Cuscutae Semen + Tripterygium tablets on ovarian germline stem cells (Chin J Exp Trad Med Formulae, 2023)
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Toxicity of Tripterygium glycosides on ovarian stem cells in vitro (Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi, 2024)
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“Property-efficiency-pharmacology-disease” relationship in estrogen-like TCM (Chin Tradit Herbal Drugs, 2023)
Conclusion:
Dr. Ying Xu embodies the essence of a leading female scientist who blends tradition with innovation to advance women’s health research. Her deep expertise in reproductive pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, combined with a strong track record of mentorship, publication, and national recognition, makes her an ideal candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Despite some opportunities for broader international visibility, her contributions to female reproductive science through stem cell research, hormonal regulation studies, and herbal pharmacology are profound and deeply influential. Her work not only advances academic understanding but also addresses real health challenges faced by women, particularly through culturally relevant medical approaches. Recognizing Dr. Xu with this award would not only honor her scientific achievements but also encourage the integration of diverse medicinal philosophies in global women’s health research.