Prof. Xiaolian Sun | Biomedical Engineering | Best Researcher Award

China Pharmaceutical University, China

Dr. Xiaolian Sun is a distinguished professor and researcher in the field of nanomedicine, radiolabeled nanomaterials, and molecular imaging. Currently based at the State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Dr. Sun has built a prolific career that bridges fundamental chemistry with translational biomedical applications. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Brown University in 2012 and completed her undergraduate studies at Nanjing University in 2008. With extensive research experience in magnetic nanomaterials and cancer theranostics, she has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, accruing over 2,000 citations and achieving an H-index of 22. Her work is characterized by innovation in designing multifunctional nanoplatforms for synergistic imaging and therapeutic strategies, particularly in oncology. Dr. Sun’s contributions extend beyond academic research through her leadership roles at top institutions, including Xiamen University and China Pharmaceutical University. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans chemistry, nanotechnology, radiology, and biomedical engineering. She has also secured multiple national-level research grants and continues to play a vital role in advancing precision medicine. As a mentor, she actively supports young scientists and graduate students, fostering a collaborative research environment. Dr. Sun remains a pioneering force in the integration of nanotechnology with modern medicine.

Professional Profiles

• Scopus Profile

Education

Dr. Xiaolian Sun has pursued a rigorous academic path that laid the groundwork for her interdisciplinary research in nanomedicine and molecular imaging. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Brown University in 2012, where she was immersed in an intellectually vibrant environment that emphasized fundamental research in materials chemistry and its biomedical applications. Her doctoral work focused on designing and characterizing nanomaterials, with an emphasis on their potential in catalysis, imaging, and therapy. During her time at Brown, she developed strong analytical, synthetic, and problem-solving skills that would serve as the foundation for her future innovations. Prior to her Ph.D., Dr. Sun completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Nanjing University in 2008, one of China’s most prestigious institutions. There, she developed her initial interest in nanomaterials and their role in biomedical sciences, gaining critical lab experience and a deep understanding of core chemical principles. Both educational experiences helped shape her cross-disciplinary expertise, preparing her to integrate chemical sciences with bioengineering and medical imaging. This combination of Eastern and Western academic training provided Dr. Sun with a unique global perspective, enriching her approach to research and collaboration. Her educational background continues to inform her leadership in advanced biomedical technologies.

Professional Experience

Dr. Xiaolian Sun’s professional journey is marked by excellence and leadership in both academic and research environments. Since November 2017, she has served as a Professor at the School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, where she is affiliated with the State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines. In this role, she leads multiple research initiatives focused on nanomedicine and molecular imaging, mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows while securing competitive research funding. Prior to her current position, Dr. Sun was a Professor at the Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine at Xiamen University from August 2015 to November 2017. There, she expanded her research on radiolabeled nanoparticles and multifunctional imaging agents, making significant contributions to the development of novel cancer theranostics. Her postdoctoral training took place at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institutes of Health (NIH), under the Intramural Research Training Award program from September 2012 to August 2015. At NIH, she worked on cutting-edge projects involving radiolabeled inorganic nanomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Across all positions, Dr. Sun has demonstrated a consistent commitment to research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation, contributing significantly to the fields of nanotechnology, bioimaging, and cancer treatment.

Research Interest

Dr. Xiaolian Sun’s research interests lie at the forefront of nanomedicine, with a particular focus on magnetic and radiolabeled nanomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Her work explores the intersection of materials chemistry, biomedical imaging, and targeted cancer therapy, aiming to develop novel multifunctional nanoparticles that respond to tumor microenvironments. A central theme in her research is the design of magnetic nanoplatforms and radiopharmaceuticals that can simultaneously deliver therapy and enhance imaging capabilities, thereby enabling more precise and effective treatment strategies. She has extensively studied X-ray and radiation-triggered nanostructures, PROTAC-based therapeutics, and self-assembling nanomedicines that modulate immune responses in tumor tissues. Dr. Sun is particularly interested in using metal-based nanomaterials such as FeAu, Fe/Fe₃O₄, and iodine-labeled structures to activate ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and photodynamic mechanisms. Her work also involves investigating radiation-responsive and near-infrared (NIR-II) technologies to overcome tumor hypoxia and improve treatment efficacy. By integrating chemistry with immunotherapy, her research addresses key challenges in current cancer treatments. Through collaborations with interdisciplinary teams, she continues to expand her research into clinical translation, seeking to develop next-generation nanoplatforms that support imaging-guided, personalized cancer therapies. Her interests reflect a deep commitment to solving real-world problems through advanced material science and biomedical engineering.

Research Skills

Dr. Xiaolian Sun possesses a comprehensive set of research skills that bridge chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedical imaging. Her expertise includes the synthesis and functionalization of magnetic nanomaterials, radiolabeled nanoparticles, and hybrid nanostructures for applications in cancer theranostics. She is highly proficient in advanced nanomaterial fabrication techniques, including core-shell assembly, metal alloy nanoparticle synthesis, and redox-responsive nanostructure design. Dr. Sun has extensive experience in radiolabeling, particularly with isotopes such as ¹³¹I, ⁶⁴Cu, and ⁸⁹Zr, enabling her to develop nanoplatforms suitable for SPECT, PET, and multimodal imaging. Her technical skills extend to photodynamic and photothermal therapy applications, using Cerenkov luminescence, persistent luminescence, and X-ray-triggered responses for tumor-specific treatments. She is adept in utilizing in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate nanoparticle biodistribution, therapeutic efficacy, and immunomodulation effects. Dr. Sun is also skilled in the use of imaging modalities such as MRI, PET/CT, fluorescence imaging, and NIR-II imaging for preclinical validation. Additionally, she has strong command over data analysis software, materials characterization tools (TEM, SEM, XRD), and bioconjugation chemistry. Her ability to integrate these diverse skills enables her to innovate across disciplines, pushing the boundaries of nanomedicine for precision diagnostics and therapy.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Xiaolian Sun has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of her groundbreaking research in nanomedicine and molecular imaging. Among her most notable achievements are multiple grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, including the prestigious project on porous yolk-shell Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for MRI-guided cancer therapy (2019–2023). She also led research on copper-gold/iron oxide nanostructures for imaging-guided photothermal therapy (2016–2018), and participated in key national initiatives such as the tumor microenvironment-responsive magnetic nanovesicles project under China’s National Key Research and Development Program (2016–2020). These grants underscore the scientific merit and societal impact of her research. In addition to funding recognition, Dr. Sun’s scholarly excellence is reflected in her publication record, including articles in top-tier journals such as Angewandte Chemie, JACS, Advanced Functional Materials, and Biomaterials. Her works have garnered international attention and substantial citations, contributing to her growing influence in the scientific community. Furthermore, she has been invited to speak at global conferences and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple high-impact journals. These accolades not only highlight her research leadership but also affirm her role as a pioneer in the development of smart nanoplatforms for cancer therapy and biomedical imaging.

Conclusion

Dr. Xiaolian Sun’s career embodies a rare blend of scientific rigor, innovative thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. From her early academic training at Nanjing University and Brown University to her advanced research at NIH and professorships at Xiamen and China Pharmaceutical University, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in nanomedicine and molecular imaging. Her pioneering research on radiolabeled and magnetic nanomaterials has significantly contributed to the evolution of cancer theranostics, offering new avenues for noninvasive diagnosis and targeted treatment. Her 60+ publications, influential H-index, and sustained research funding reflect a profound and lasting impact on her field. As a mentor and academic leader, Dr. Sun fosters an inclusive and forward-thinking research environment that nurtures the next generation of scientists. Her commitment to translational science bridges the gap between laboratory research and clinical application, underscoring the real-world significance of her work. Through continuous innovation in material design, radiopharmaceuticals, and smart nanotherapeutics, Dr. Sun remains at the cutting edge of precision medicine. Looking ahead, she is poised to further her contributions to global health by advancing personalized, image-guided therapies that respond dynamically to tumor biology. Her scientific vision and leadership ensure that she will continue to be a transformative figure in biomedical research.

 Publications Top Notes

1. Title: A ROS-responsive hydrogel encapsulated with matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA nanocarriers to attenuate osteoarthritis progression

   • Authors: Q. Wang, K. Feng, G. Wan, W. Wang, Q. Jiang

   • Year: 2025

   • Citations: 1

2. Title: Hydrogen sulfide-responsive and depleting NIR-II nanoplatform synergistic photodynamic therapy for colorectal cancer

   • Authors: Y. Chai, M. Xu, Y. Sun, Y. Pan, Y. Liu

   • Year: 2025

3. Title: Responsive and traceless assembly of iron nanoparticles and 131I labeled radiopharmaceuticals for ferroptosis enhanced radio-immunotherapy

   • Authors: J. Shen, K. Feng, J. Yu, T. Zhang, X. Sun

   • Year: 2025

   • Citations: 3

4. Title: X-ray triggered bimetallic nanoassemblies as radiosensitizers and STING agonists for a CDT/radio-immunotherapy strategy

   • Authors: R. Chen, J. Gong, Z. Yu, S. Wang, X. Sun

   • Year: 2025

5. Title: Self-Assembled Triple-Targeted Radiosensitizer Enhances Hypoxic Tumor Targeting and Radio-Immunotherapy Efficacy

   • Authors: Y. Tian, L. Wang, R. Chen, Y. Zhang, D. Ye

   • Year: 2025

6. Title: FeAu Bimetallic Nanoparticle as Fe(0) Reservoir for Near Infrared Laser Enhanced Ferroptosis/Pyroptosis-Based Tumor Immunotherapy

   • Authors: Y. Ruan, X. Wu, K. Li, S. Sun, X. Sun

   • Year: 2024

   • Citations: 5

7. Title: 131I Induced In Vivo Proteolysis by Photoswitchable azoPROTAC Reinforces Internal Radiotherapy

   • Authors: H. Liu, H. Xiong, C. Li, D. Su, X. Sun

   • Year: 2024

8. Title: A multi-modality imaging strategy to determine the multiple in vivo fates of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells at different periods of acute liver injury treatment

   • Authors: N. Wei, X. Chen, D. Liu, X. Sun, J. Zhang

   • Year: 2024

9. Title: Copper-based catalysts for carbon monoxide electroreduction to multicarbon products

   • Authors: W. Zhao, J. Liu, G. Wang, G. Zuo, W. Zhu

   • Year: (unspecified but likely 2024/2025)

   • Citations: 4

10. Title: Self-Illuminating In Situ Hydrogel with Immune-Adjuvant Amplify Cerenkov Radiation-Induced Photodynamic Therapy

    • Authors: X. Zhang, J. Guo, Z. Zhou, L. Tang, X. Sun

    • Year: 2024

    • Citations: 3