Tag: Award for Analytical Chemistry

Sophia Lunt | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Shen Awards

Prof. Sophia Lunt | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Michigan State University, United States

Dr. Sophia Y. Lunt is a prominent researcher at Michigan State University, specializing in cancer research, metabolism, and luminescent therapeutics. Her work focuses on understanding the reprogrammed metabolism in cancer and other diseases to develop novel therapeutic strategies. With a strong academic and research background, Dr. Lunt has led an independent cancer research laboratory and contributed significantly to the scientific community through high-impact publications. She has secured funding from notable organizations such as NIH, NSF, and DoD, which has enabled her to lead groundbreaking research in cancer metabolism. Dr. Lunt is also passionate about education, promoting student engagement and inclusivity, and has received multiple teaching awards for her efforts. As a mentor, she has successfully guided postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates, helping shape the next generation of researchers.

Professional Profile

Education:

Dr. Sophia Y. Lunt’s academic journey began at Lebanon Valley College, where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2005. She then pursued her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Princeton University, where her research focused on metabolomic investigations of drug action. After completing her doctorate in 2010, she worked as a DoD Visionary Postdoctoral Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During her postdoctoral tenure, she studied the impact of pyruvate kinase isoform expression on cancer cell metabolism and proliferation under the mentorship of Professor Matthew G. Vander Heiden. This extensive educational background provided Dr. Lunt with the expertise to build an innovative research program in cancer metabolism at Michigan State University, where she has been a faculty member since 2015.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Lunt’s professional journey is marked by significant academic and research leadership. After earning her Ph.D. and completing her postdoctoral research, Dr. Lunt joined Michigan State University (MSU) in 2015 as an Assistant Professor. She quickly ascended through the ranks, achieving tenure as an Associate Professor in 2021 and later as a Professor with Tenure in 2024. Throughout her tenure at MSU, she has been instrumental in developing a thriving cancer research laboratory, securing multiple research grants, and contributing to academic growth in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Chemical Engineering and Materials Science departments. In addition to her faculty roles, Dr. Lunt has served as an advisory board member at the Van Andel Institute’s Metabolism & Nutrition Program and as an editorial board member for Cancer & Metabolism. Her experience also extends to mentorship, as she has trained postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates in cancer research and metabolism.

Research Interests:

Dr. Lunt’s primary research interest lies at the intersection of cancer, metabolism, and luminescent therapeutics. Her work investigates how metabolic alterations in cancer cells contribute to disease progression and resistance to therapies. Specifically, she focuses on understanding the reprogramming of cellular metabolism in cancer and how these changes can be exploited to develop targeted therapies. By studying the role of pyruvate kinase isoform expression and other metabolic pathways in cancer cell metabolism, Dr. Lunt aims to uncover novel therapeutic strategies for treating cancer. Additionally, her research includes developing luminescent-based therapeutics for better-targeted treatments in cancer. Her work also extends to broader metabolic diseases, with a focus on how metabolic reprogramming can influence disease mechanisms and therapy outcomes.

Research Skills:

Dr. Lunt possesses a diverse set of research skills that span across cancer biology, biochemistry, and metabolic diseases. Her expertise includes cell metabolism analysis, metabolomics, and the use of luminescent therapeutics for targeted drug delivery. She has mastered techniques in molecular biology, bioenergetics, and the study of pyruvate kinase isoform expression in cancer. Dr. Lunt is proficient in metabolomic analysis, cell culture, and animal model systems, which allow her to explore the metabolic alterations that drive disease progression. Her ability to secure and manage multiple research grants reflects her proficiency in writing competitive research proposals and leading large-scale research projects. Additionally, Dr. Lunt’s mentorship skills are evident in her successful training of numerous students and fellows who have gone on to make significant contributions in cancer research.

Awards and Honors:

Dr. Sophia Y. Lunt has received numerous accolades throughout her career, reflecting her excellence in research and teaching. Among her most prestigious honors is the 2022-23 MSU NatSci Teacher-Scholar Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to teaching and mentorship. Additionally, she was awarded the 2022 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Teaching Award for her efforts in fostering an inclusive learning environment. Dr. Lunt’s research excellence has also been recognized through competitive grants such as the NIH NCI R01 and the NSF CAREER Award. She has received several awards to support her cancer research, including the DoD Breast Cancer Research Program Breakthrough Award and the METAvivor Early Career Investigator Award. These honors, along with her extensive publication record in top-tier journals like Nature and Cancer Cell, underscore her impact in the scientific community.

Conclusion:

Dr. Sophia Y. Lunt is a leading researcher and educator with an impressive track record in cancer research, metabolism, and luminescent therapeutics. Her innovative research in metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells is making significant strides in developing novel therapeutic approaches. Through her independent research program, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentorship, guiding numerous students and postdoctoral fellows to success. Dr. Lunt’s research, teaching, and outreach are highly regarded in the academic community, as evidenced by her substantial publication record, competitive grant funding, and numerous awards. Her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, coupled with her dedication to mentoring the next generation of researchers, makes her an exemplary candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award.

Publication Top Notes

  • Title: Aerobic glycolysis: meeting the metabolic requirements of cell proliferation
    • Authors: SY Lunt, MG Vander Heiden
    • Journal: Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
    • Volume: 27 (1), 441-464
    • Citations: 3378
    • Year: 2011
  • Title: Pyruvate kinase M2 activators promote tetramer formation and suppress tumorigenesis
    • Authors: D Anastasiou, Y Yu, WJ Israelsen, JK Jiang, MB Boxer, BS Hong, …
    • Journal: Nature Chemical Biology
    • Volume: 8 (10), 839-847
    • Citations: 820
    • Year: 2012
  • Title: A roadmap for interpreting 13C metabolite labeling patterns from cells
    • Authors: JM Buescher, MR Antoniewicz, LG Boros, SC Burgess, H Brunengraber, …
    • Journal: Current Opinion in Biotechnology
    • Volume: 34, 189-201
    • Citations: 660
    • Year: 2015
  • Title: Fatty acid carbon is essential for dNTP synthesis in endothelial cells
    • Authors: S Schoors, U Bruning, R Missiaen, KCS Queiroz, G Borgers, I Elia, …
    • Journal: Nature
    • Volume: 520 (7546), 192-197
    • Citations: 619
    • Year: 2015
  • Title: Metabolic pathway alterations that support cell proliferation
    • Authors: MG Vander Heiden, SY Lunt, TL Dayton, BP Fiske, WJ Israelsen, …
    • Journal: Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology
    • Volume: 76, 325-334
    • Citations: 343
    • Year: 2011
  • Title: Pyruvate kinase isoform expression alters nucleotide synthesis to impact cell proliferation
    • Authors: SY Lunt, V Muralidhar, AM Hosios, WJ Israelsen, DY Gui, L Newhouse, …
    • Journal: Molecular Cell
    • Volume: 57 (1), 95-107
    • Citations: 261
    • Year: 2015
  • Title: Succinate dehydrogenase inhibition leads to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and reprogrammed carbon metabolism
    • Authors: PJP Aspuria, SY Lunt, L Väremo, L Vergnes, M Gozo, JA Beach, …
    • Journal: Cancer & Metabolism
    • Volume: 2, 1-15
    • Citations: 175
    • Year: 2014
  • Title: PHGDH heterogeneity potentiates cancer cell dissemination and metastasis
    • Authors: M Rossi, P Altea-Manzano, M Demicco, G Doglioni, L Bornes, M Fukano, …
    • Journal: Nature
    • Volume: 605 (7911), 747-753
    • Citations: 153
    • Year: 2022
  • Title: A domino effect in antifolate drug action in Escherichia coli
    • Authors: YK Kwon, W Lu, E Melamud, N Khanam, A Bognar, JD Rabinowitz
    • Journal: Nature Chemical Biology
    • Volume: 4 (10), 602-608
    • Citations: 120
    • Year: 2008
  • Title: The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier regulates memory T cell differentiation and antitumor function
    • Authors: M Wenes, A Jaccard, T Wyss, N Maldonado-Pérez, ST Teoh, A Lepez, …
    • Journal: Cell Metabolism
    • Volume: 34 (5), 731-746.e9
    • Citations: 114
    • Year: 2022

 

Yong Fan | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Shen Awards

Prof. Dr. Yong Fan | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Fudan University, China

Dr. Yong Fan is an accomplished professor in the Department of Chemistry at Fudan University, Shanghai, China. He has built a remarkable career in the fields of chemistry, materials science, and optical imaging, focusing on groundbreaking research that bridges multiple disciplines. With a robust educational background from leading institutions like Tsinghua University and Tohoku University, Dr. Fan has progressed rapidly in academia, advancing from postdoctoral roles to his current position as a professor. His dedication is evident through his involvement in numerous prestigious research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and his leadership in international collaboration initiatives. Dr. Fan has received significant awards, such as the Rare Earth Science and Technology Award and the Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award, underscoring his impact on the field. Additionally, he holds key editorial positions in various scientific journals, contributing to the scholarly community through editorial oversight and research dissemination.

Professional Profile

Education

Dr. Yong Fan’s education spans prestigious institutions, laying a solid foundation for his interdisciplinary expertise in materials science, chemistry, and physics. He earned his Ph.D. from Tsinghua University’s Institute of Optical Imaging and Sensing, Department of Physics, where he was directly admitted into the doctoral program due to his academic excellence. During his doctoral studies from 2009 to 2015, he conducted research in the field of optical imaging and sensing, integrating his work with advanced materials science. Additionally, Dr. Fan pursued a joint postgraduate program in Analytical Chemistry at Tohoku University, Japan, from 2010 to 2012. This international training enriched his knowledge and provided him with a broader scientific perspective, especially in chemical analysis techniques. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Physics from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China, completed in 2009, where he developed foundational skills in materials science. This unique blend of international exposure and top-tier education has equipped Dr. Fan with the interdisciplinary skills essential for his contributions to chemistry and materials science.

Professional Experience

Dr. Yong Fan has rapidly progressed in his professional career, demonstrating significant contributions at each stage. After completing his Ph.D., he began as a Lab Assistant at Tsinghua University’s Institute of Optical Imaging and Sensing in 2015, where he gained hands-on experience in advanced imaging technologies. Shortly after, he moved to Fudan University, where he served as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry from 2015 to 2018. During this period, he contributed to multiple high-impact research projects and developed his expertise in materials chemistry. In 2019, Dr. Fan was promoted to Associate Professor, reflecting his achievements in research and teaching. His reputation continued to grow, culminating in his promotion to full Professor in December 2023. Dr. Fan’s career at Fudan University has been marked by his contributions to several prestigious research projects and his leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, demonstrating his ability to produce impactful research and mentor young scientists.

Research Interests

Dr. Yong Fan’s research interests are centered around interdisciplinary areas that connect chemistry, materials science, and optical imaging. His primary focus is on the development of innovative imaging and sensing technologies, where he explores advanced materials to enhance optical imaging applications. His work includes exploring new methods in analytical chemistry to improve detection sensitivity and accuracy, an area crucial for both medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Additionally, Dr. Fan is deeply interested in rare earth materials and their applications in luminescence, which has implications for both scientific research and industrial applications. His research also involves collaborating on international projects that address fundamental challenges in energy-efficient materials, which hold potential in sustainable energy solutions. Through his work, Dr. Fan seeks to push the boundaries of materials chemistry, aiming to develop technologies that can be applied in diverse fields, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science.

Research Skills

Dr. Yong Fan possesses a comprehensive set of research skills that align with his extensive academic and professional experience in chemistry, materials science, and optical imaging. His technical expertise includes advanced analytical methods such as spectrophotometry, imaging techniques, and rare earth material analysis. Dr. Fan is skilled in project management, having successfully led multiple funded research projects from prominent institutions such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China. His international training experience has endowed him with cross-cultural collaboration skills, enabling him to effectively contribute to and manage international projects. Additionally, Dr. Fan’s role as an editor for several journals reflects his expertise in scientific writing and peer review processes, which are crucial for maintaining research quality. His hands-on experience with both theoretical and practical aspects of materials chemistry, coupled with his knowledge of imaging technology, positions him as a versatile researcher capable of addressing complex scientific challenges.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Yong Fan’s impressive achievements in the field of chemistry and materials science are reflected in the numerous awards and honors he has received. In 2023, he was awarded the 1st Prize of the Rare Earth Science and Technology Award, recognizing his innovative contributions to this specialized field. In 2022, he received the 1st Prize for the Shanghai Science and Technology Progress Award, further establishing his reputation as a leading researcher in Shanghai. Previously, Dr. Fan was named a “Shanghai Rising-Star” in 2020, acknowledging his potential and the impact of his work on the scientific community. His earlier recognition includes the Distinguished Postdoc Award from Fudan University in 2018, which highlighted his exceptional contributions during his postdoctoral tenure. Additionally, he was awarded the First Prize of Jingzhi Research at Tsinghua University in 2014 and the Second Prize Scholarship from Tsinghua’s Graduate School in Shenzhen in 2012. These honors underscore Dr. Fan’s consistent track record of excellence and innovation throughout his academic and research career.

Conclusion

Dr. Yong Fan’s extensive qualifications, funded projects, and prestigious awards position him as a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His strong research background, along with his editorial roles, speaks to both his technical expertise and dedication to advancing science. Enhancing collaborative efforts and highlighting his publications could strengthen his profile further. However, even with minor areas for improvement, Dr. Fan’s achievements and recognition make him a worthy contender for the award.

Publication Top Notes

  1. “Lifetime-engineered NIR-II nanoparticles unlock multiplexed in vivo imaging”
    Authors: Y. Fan, P. Wang, Y. Lu, R. Wang, L. Zhou, X. Zheng, X. Li, J.A. Piper, F. Zhang
    Journal: Nature Nanotechnology, Volume: 13 (10), Pages: 941-946
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 669
  2. “X-ray-activated persistent luminescence nanomaterials for NIR-II imaging”
    Authors: P. Pei, Y. Chen, C. Sun, Y. Fan, Y. Yang, X. Liu, L. Lu, M. Zhao, H. Zhang, …
    Journal: Nature Nanotechnology, Volume: 16 (9), Pages: 1011-1018
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 449
  3. “Anti-quenching NIR-II molecular fluorophores for in vivo high-contrast imaging and pH sensing”
    Authors: S. Wang, Y. Fan, D. Li, C. Sun, Z. Lei, L. Lu, T. Wang, F. Zhang
    Journal: Nature Communications, Volume: 10 (1), Article ID: 1058
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 434
  4. “NIR-II nanoprobes in-vivo assembly to improve image-guided surgery for metastatic ovarian cancer”
    Authors: P. Wang, Y. Fan, L. Lu, L. Liu, L. Fan, M. Zhao, Y. Xie, C. Xu, F. Zhang
    Journal: Nature Communications, Volume: 9 (1), Article ID: 2898
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 411
  5. “Er3+ Sensitized 1530 nm to 1180 nm Second Near‐Infrared Window Upconversion Nanocrystals for In Vivo Biosensing”
    Authors: L. Liu, S. Wang, B. Zhao, P. Pei, Y. Fan, X. Li, F. Zhang
    Journal: Angewandte Chemie, Volume: 130 (25), Pages: 7640-7644
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 344
  6. “Tm3+‐Sensitized NIR‐II Fluorescent Nanocrystals for In Vivo Information Storage and Decoding”
    Authors: H. Zhang, Y. Fan, P. Pei, C. Sun, L. Lu, F. Zhang
    Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Volume: 58 (30), Pages: 10153-10157
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 234
  7. “A New Generation of NIR‐II Probes: Lanthanide‐Based Nanocrystals for Bioimaging and Biosensing”
    Authors: Y. Fan, F. Zhang
    Journal: Advanced Optical Materials, Volume: 7 (7), Article ID: 1801417
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 224
  8. “In Vivo High-resolution Ratiometric Fluorescence Imaging of Inflammation Using NIR-II Nanoprobes with 1550 nm Emission”
    Authors: S. Wang, L. Liu, Y. Fan, A.M. El-Toni, M.S. Alhoshan, D. Li, F. Zhang
    Journal: Nano Letters, Volume: 19 (4), Pages: 2418-2427
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 214
  9. “NIR-II bioluminescence for in vivo high contrast imaging and in situ ATP-mediated metastases tracing”
    Authors: L. Lu, B. Li, S. Ding, Y. Fan, S. Wang, C. Sun, M. Zhao, C.X. Zhao, F. Zhang
    Journal: Nature Communications, Volume: 11 (1), Article ID: 4192
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 205
  10. “Exploiting lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles with core/shell structures”
    Authors: Y. Fan, L. Liu, F. Zhang
    Journal: Nano Today, Volume: 25, Pages: 68-84
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 198