
Overview
Background
- 2023-now Joint Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (CNFS, QAAFI)
- 2022-now Senior Research Fellow, AIBN, The University of Queensland
- 2020-now NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, AIBN, The University of Queensland
- 2017-2019 ARC DECRA Fellow, AIBN, The University of Queensland
- 2016-2017 Research Associate, AIBN, The University of Queensland
- 2013-2015 Macquarie University Research Fellow (MQRF), Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science (CBMS), Macquarie University
- 2012-2013 Postdoc Research Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Macquarie University
- July 2012 PhD, Analytical Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology (DLUT), China
Research Team: Dr Zhang is now leading more than 15 researchers, working on the development of responsive molecules/nanomaterials for biosensing and imaging, early disease detection and treatment, food/agricultural/environmental applications. He has collaborations with scientist in Chemistry, Materials Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Food and Agriculture Science, and Biophotonics from Australia, US, UK, Sweden, India, Russia and China.
Research Support: Since 2011, Dr Zhang has attracted 11 research grants (> 3 million) as chief investigator (lead CI and/or co-CI). These grants include 3 Fellowship (NHMRC Emerging Leadership, ARC DECRA and MQRF to develop responsive probes for redox biomarkers detection within body), 1 NHMRC Project grant in redox quantification in liver cancer chemotherapy, 1 UQ ECR grant, 1 NSFC grant, and another 3 grants from universities.
Research Output: Dr Zhang has published more than 180 research papers since his first publication in 2010 (>95 papers published as first and/or corresponding author), and 1 patent. He frequently publishes in a number of premier journals, such as Nature Photonics, Nature Plants, Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), Angewandte Chemie, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Society Reviews, and Accounts of Chemical Research. These publications have received >9,000 citations with an H-index of 55. He has 8 Highly Cited Papers (7 in the ESI field of Chemistry-Analytical) and 3 Hot Articles.
Service: Dr Zhang is an Editor of TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry (Elsevier, 1/106 in Analytical Chemistry) and Methods (Elsevier, 7/85 in Biochemical Research), and Editorial Board Member of several international high impact journals, such as Chemistry-An Asian Journal (Wiley), Aggregate (Wiley), Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis (Elsevier), Green Analytical Chemistry (Elsevier). He is a referee of ~80 international journals (2nd most contributions of all UQ researchers, with >20 awards from RSC and Elsevier journals), and grant assessor for more than 10 country and regions, such as Australia, UK, Europe, Netherland, New Zealand.
Award: Dr Zhang's national and international standing in the fields of chemistry (analytical and inorganic) and functional nanomaterials is evidenced by the awards of ACS Rising Star in Measurement Science, NJC Emerging Investigator, Biosensors Young Investigator Award, IAAM Scientist Medal, Vebleo Fellow, IAAM Fellow, ARC DECRA, NHMRC EL Fellow, MQRF, and more than 20 TOP Outstanding Reviewer awards from RSC and Elsevier. He has been a World's Top 2% Scientist in Chemistry (Analytical) and Nanoscience & Nanotechnology since 2022 by Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientist Ranking, and top 0.5% of all scholars worldwide for excellence in research productivity, impact and quality by ScholarGPS Ranking (ranked #183 Globally in Biomedical Engineering). He has delivered about 40 invited presentations and keynotes.
Teaching and Supervision: Dr Zhang has a strong commitment to training students. His students have received several awards, such as 4 "Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding Academic Performance", 1 "Dean’s Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research", 1 "Dean's Award for Outstanding HDR Theses", ANFF-Q students award, 3MT Runner-UP and People's Choice. He has supervised 6 PhD and >20 Masters to completion. He is now co-coordinating and lecturing the MSE PP ENGY7112/7115/7114/7215 in School of Chem. Eng., EAIT. His teaching contributions in Faculty of Science, UQ are recognised by two nominations of "Dean’s Commendation for Excellent Teaching Awards" in semesters 1 and 2 in 2022.
Availability
- Dr Run Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Engineering, Dalian University of Technology
Research interests
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Responsive probes to detect and visualise highly reactive biomolecules
design and synthesis of organic/organometallic complexes (including Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes and lanthanide chelate) for sensing of bioactive ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), redox biomolecules, gasotransmitters, amino acid, and proteins in various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases.
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Functional nanomaterial for early diseases diagnosis and treatment
engineering of functional nanomaterials for disease detection and treatment through monitoring and regulation of redox state, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for diseases deeply seated in body.
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Sensors for the detection of food quality & safety and environmental pollutants
development of ultra-sensitive sensors for the detection of food additives, antibiotics, pesticides, spoilage, heavy metals, toxic anions and gases (greenhouse gases and VOCs), etc.
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Bionanoprobes for deep tissue sensing and imaging
fabrication of responsive nanomaterials for sensing and imaging of biomarkers located deeply inside the body. The probes allow the monitoring of specific disease-related biomarkers through optical, acoustic, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
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Redox monitoring and regulation for diagnosis and treatment
development of novel luminescent probes with long emission lifetime to eliminate autofluorescence, allowing background-free quantification and bioimaging of redox species in situ development of responsive nanomaterials for treatment through quantitative redox regulation
Works
Search Professor Run Zhang’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Journal Article
Synthesis and application of an aldazine-based fluorescence chemosensor for the sequential detection of Cu2+ and biological thiols in aqueous solution and living cells
Jia, Hongmin, Yang, Ming, Meng, Qingtao, He, Guangjie, Wang, Yue, Hu, Zhizhi, Zhang, Run and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2016). Synthesis and application of an aldazine-based fluorescence chemosensor for the sequential detection of Cu2+ and biological thiols in aqueous solution and living cells. Sensors, 16 (1) 79, 79. doi: 10.3390/s16010079
2016
Journal Article
Controllable preparation and drug loading properties of core–shell microspheres Fe3O4@MOFs/GO
Li, Ling, Wu, Ya Q., Sun, Ke K., Zhang, Run, Fan, Lu, Liang, Ke K. and Mao, Le B. (2016). Controllable preparation and drug loading properties of core–shell microspheres Fe3O4@MOFs/GO. Materials Letters, 162, 207-210. doi: 10.1016/j.matlet.2015.09.096
2016
Journal Article
Short- and long-term tracking of anionic ultrasmall nanoparticles in kidney
Liang, Xiaowen, Wang, Haolu, Zhu, Yian, Zhang, Run, Cogger, Victoria C., Liu, Xin, Xu, Zhi Ping, Grice, Jeffrey E. and Roberts, Michael S. (2016). Short- and long-term tracking of anionic ultrasmall nanoparticles in kidney. Acs Nano, 10 (1), 387-395. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5b05066
2016
Conference Publication
Upconversion nanocrystals doped glass: a new paradigm for integrated optical glass
Zhao, Jiangbo, Zheng, Xianlin, Schartner, Erik P., Ionescu, Paul, Zhang, Run, Nguyen, Tich-Lam, Jin, Dayong and Ebendorff-Heidepriem, Heike (2016). Upconversion nanocrystals doped glass: a new paradigm for integrated optical glass. Photonics and Fiber Technology , Sydney, Australia, 5–8 September 2016. Washington, DC, United States: OSA. doi: 10.1364/acoft.2016.am5c.7
2015
Journal Article
A highly selective and sensitive ON-OFF-ON fluorescence chemosensor for cysteine detection in endoplasmic reticulum
Meng, Qingtao, Jia, Hongmin, Succar, Peter, Zhao, Liang, Zhang, Run, Duan, Chunying and Zhang, Zhigiang (2015). A highly selective and sensitive ON-OFF-ON fluorescence chemosensor for cysteine detection in endoplasmic reticulum. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 74, 461-468. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.06.077
2015
Journal Article
A ruthenium(II) complex-based lysosome-targetable multisignal chemosensor for in vivo detection of hypochlorous acid
Cao, Liyan, Zhang, Run, Zhang, Wenzhu, Du, Zhongbo, Liu, Chunjun, Ye, Zhiqiang, Song, Bo and Yuan, Jingli (2015). A ruthenium(II) complex-based lysosome-targetable multisignal chemosensor for in vivo detection of hypochlorous acid. Biomaterials, 68, 21-31. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.07.052
2015
Journal Article
Fluorescence detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution and living cells based on a high selectivity and sensitivity chemosensor
Jia, Hongmin, Gao, Xue, Shi, Yu, Sayyadi, Nima, Zhang, Zhiqiang, Zhao, Qi, Meng, Qingtao and Zhang, Run (2015). Fluorescence detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution and living cells based on a high selectivity and sensitivity chemosensor. Spectrochimica Acta Part A-Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 149, 674-681. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2015.04.111
2015
Journal Article
A reversible fluorescence chemosensor for sequentially quantitative monitoring copper and sulfide in living cells
Meng, Qingtao, Zhang, Run, Jia, Hongmin, Gao, Xue, Wang, Cuiping, Shi, Yu, Everest-Dass, Arun V. and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2015). A reversible fluorescence chemosensor for sequentially quantitative monitoring copper and sulfide in living cells. Talanta, 143 15572, 294-301. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2015.04.072
2015
Journal Article
NBD-based fluorescent chemosensor for the selective quantification of copper and sulfide in an aqueous solution and living cells
Meng, Qingtao, Shi, Yu, Wang, Cuiping, Jia, Hongmin, Gao, Xue, Zhang, Run, Wang, Yongfei and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2015). NBD-based fluorescent chemosensor for the selective quantification of copper and sulfide in an aqueous solution and living cells. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 13 (10), 2918-2926. doi: 10.1039/c4ob02178a
2015
Journal Article
A new fluorescent chemosensor for highly selective and sensitive detection of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in aqueous solution and living cells
Meng, Qingtao, Wang, Yue, Yang, Ming, Zhang, Run, Wang, Renjie and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2015). A new fluorescent chemosensor for highly selective and sensitive detection of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in aqueous solution and living cells. RSC Advances, 5 (66), 53189-53197. doi: 10.1039/c5ra08712k
2015
Journal Article
Reversible and Selective Fluorescence Detection of Histidine Using a Naphthalimide-Based Chemosensing Ensemble
Meng, Qingtao, Jia, Hongmin, Gao, Xue, Wang, Yue, Zhang, Run, Wang, Renjie and Zhang, Zhiqiang (2015). Reversible and Selective Fluorescence Detection of Histidine Using a Naphthalimide-Based Chemosensing Ensemble. Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 10 (11), 2411-2418. doi: 10.1002/asia.201500690
2014
Journal Article
Development of a functional ruthenium(II) complex for probing hypochlorous acid in living cells
Ye, Zhiqiang, Zhang, Run, Song, Bo, Dai, Zhichao, Jin, Dayong, Goldys, Ewa M. and Yuan, Jingli (2014). Development of a functional ruthenium(II) complex for probing hypochlorous acid in living cells. Dalton Transactions, 43 (22), 8414-8420. doi: 10.1039/c4dt00179f
2014
Conference Publication
Nitric oxide sensitive optic fiber sensor based on immobilized ruthenium(II) complex
Zhang, Peng, Ruan, Shuai, Zhang, Run, Pullen, Benjamin, Zhang, Xiaozhou, Purdey, Malcolm Stuart, Ebendorff-Heidepriem, Heike, Abell, Andrew, Ding, Liyun, Tang, Ming and Ruan, Yinlan (2014). Nitric oxide sensitive optic fiber sensor based on immobilized ruthenium(II) complex. Asia-Pacific Optical Sensors Conference, APOS 2016, Shanghai China, 11-14 October 2016. Washington, DC United States: OSA - The Optical Society. doi: 10.1364/APOS.2016.W3A.5
2014
Journal Article
Tunable lifetime multiplexing using luminescent nanocrystals
Lu, Yiqing, Zhao, Jiangbo, Zhang, Run, Liu, Yujia, Liu, Deming, Goldys, Ewa M., Yang, Xusan, Xi, Peng, Sunna, Anwar, Lu, Jie, Shi, Yu, Leif, Robert C., Huo, Yujing, Shen, Jian, Piper, James A., Robinson, J. Paul and Jin, Dayong (2014). Tunable lifetime multiplexing using luminescent nanocrystals. Nature Photonics, 8 (1), 33-37. doi: 10.1038/NPHOTON.2013.322
2013
Journal Article
Highly sensitive and selective phosphorescent chemosensors for hypochlorous acid based on ruthenium(II) complexes
Zhang, Run, Song, Bo, Dai, Zhichao, Ye, Zhiqiang, Xiao, Yunna, Liu, Yan and Yuan, Jingli (2013). Highly sensitive and selective phosphorescent chemosensors for hypochlorous acid based on ruthenium(II) complexes. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 50, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bios.2013.06.005
2013
Journal Article
A lanthanide complex-based ratiometric luminescence probe for time-gated luminescence detection of intracellular thiols
Dai, Zhichao, Tian, Lu, Ye, Zhiqiang, Song, Bo, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2013). A lanthanide complex-based ratiometric luminescence probe for time-gated luminescence detection of intracellular thiols. Analytical Chemistry, 85 (23), 11658-11664. doi: 10.1021/ac403370g
2013
Journal Article
Development and application of a ruthenium(II) complex-based photoluminescent and electrochemiluminescent dual-signaling probe for nitric oxide
Zhang, Wenzhu, Zhang, Jingmei, Zhang, Hailei, Cao, Liyan, Zhang, Run, Ye, Zhiqiang and Yuan, Jingli (2013). Development and application of a ruthenium(II) complex-based photoluminescent and electrochemiluminescent dual-signaling probe for nitric oxide. Talanta, 116, 354-360. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2013.05.064
2013
Journal Article
Design and synthesis of a ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescent probe for highly selective and sensitive luminescence detection of nitric oxide
Yu, Xiaojing, Zhang, Run, Ye, Zhiqiang, Song, Bo and Yuan, Jingli (2013). Design and synthesis of a ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescent probe for highly selective and sensitive luminescence detection of nitric oxide. Journal of Fluorescence, 23 (6), 1113-1120. doi: 10.1007/s10895-013-1240-8
2013
Journal Article
Development of a ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescent probe for hypochlorous acid in living cells
Zhang, Run, Ye, Zhiqiang, Song, Bo, Dai, Zhichao, An, Xin and Yuan, Jingli (2013). Development of a ruthenium(II) complex-based luminescent probe for hypochlorous acid in living cells. Inorganic Chemistry, 52 (18), 10325-10331. doi: 10.1021/ic400767u
2013
Journal Article
Development of singlet oxygen-responsive phosphorescent ruthenium(ii) complexes
Ye, Zhiqiang, Song, Bo, Yin, Yuejiao, Zhang, Run and Yuan, Jingli (2013). Development of singlet oxygen-responsive phosphorescent ruthenium(ii) complexes. Dalton Transactions, 42 (40), 14380-14383. doi: 10.1039/c3dt52020j
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Run Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Responsive molecules and nanomaterials for bisoensing and bioimaging
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Sensors for environmental pollutants and food quality & safety
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Theranostic nanomaterials: especially the optical nanomaterials for diagnosis and therapy
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Responsive probe for time-gated luminescence bioassay and imaging
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jiaxi Yong
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of responsive nanoprobe for enzyme analysis in inflammation
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Sensitive Detection of Antibiotics with Nanoprobes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Responsive nanoprobe for redox biomolecules quantification
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Functional piezoelectric scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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Doctor Philosophy
Activatable nanomaterials for cancer treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ruirui Qiao
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Doctor Philosophy
Upconversion-encoded microspheres for glucocorticoids detection as food hazards or health markers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kayvan Etebari, Dr Zeinab Khalil, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Thermo-triggered Release of Drug/Gene Carrier System by Lipid-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles for Tumour Therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimization and Characterization of Seaweed Bioactive Materials for Encapsulation and Valorization of Seaweed based products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Dharini Sivakumar
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Doctor Philosophy
The efficacy of nanoencapsulation as a delivery system of Terminalia ferdinandiana extract for periodontal disease therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the Shelf-life of Salmon Fillets Using an Advanced Nanoencapsulation Technology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharini Sivakumar, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
In-situ growth of layered two-dimensional nano-sonosensitisers for enhanced sonodynamic therapy
Principal Advisor
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Precision Engineering Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery
Associate Advisor
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2024
Master Philosophy
Development of cerium-containing layered double hydroxide nanoparticles as antioxidants for disease treatment
Associate Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Developing efficient nanoparticle-based platform to deliver biomolecules for plant modification
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Lipid-Coated Upconversion Nanoparticle as a Responsive Therapeutic Gas Release Nanoplatform for Cancer Therapy
Associate Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Layered double hydroxide nanoparticles tailored to target tumor microenvironment as multifunctional nanoplatforms for synergistic cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of theranostic nanomaterials based on iron oxide and cerium oxide for ROS-related and inflammatory diseases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Cu-LDH-based nanomedicine for combination cancer therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Li Li
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Run Zhang directly for media enquiries about:
- Biosensing and imaging
- Cancer
- Environmental pollution
- Food safety
- Inflammation
- Optical probe
- Redox biomolecules
- Sensor
- Stress resilience
- Theranostic nanomaterials
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