Ruirui Qiao

Associate Professor Ruirui Qiao is a Group Leader, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow (2021–2026), and ARC Future Fellow (2026–2030) at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland (UQ). She received her BSc (2005) and MSc (2007) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Peking University and completed her PhD in Physical Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in 2014. Before joining UQ, she held academic appointments at CAS as an Assistant Professor (2009–2015) and tenured Associate Professor (2016–2017), and subsequently served as a Project Co-Leader at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology at Monash University.

A/Prof Qiao leads a multidisciplinary research program focused on smart biomaterials, precision delivery, microfluidic biomanufacturing, and 3D/4D-printed soft robotic systems. Her group develops functional polymer–inorganic nanohybrids and bioengineered platforms that integrate nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, microfluidics, and advanced manufacturing. These technologies span multiple length scales, from nanoparticles and microcarriers to biointegrated devices, and are applied to brain-targeted nanomedicine, drug and gene delivery, disease modelling, organoid and cell manufacturing, regenerative engineering, and wearable biomedical technologies.

A major focus of her research is the development of advanced materials and delivery platforms for brain diseases, including paediatric brain cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Her team engineers polymer-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles, liquid-metal nanocomposites, biofunctional hydrogels, and stimuli-responsive delivery systems for non-invasive brain entry, spatially controlled therapeutic delivery, molecular imaging, and gene regulation. The group also develops droplet-microfluidic microgel platforms for scalable organoid production, blood–brain barrier modelling, drug screening, and advanced cell manufacturing.

In parallel, A/Prof Qiao’s group pioneers nanoparticle- and liquid-metal-enabled materials for 3D/4D printing, soft robotics, and biointegrated devices. This research establishes new strategies for programming the mechanical, electrical, optical, and biological properties of soft materials, enabling stimuli-responsive robotic systems, wearable sensors, actuators, and adaptive biomedical interfaces. Her long-term vision is to establish an integrated, materials-driven technology platform that connects fundamental materials science with precision medicine, biomanufacturing, and intelligent biomedical devices.

A/Prof Qiao has published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles in leading international journals, including Science, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Functional Materials. Her work has received more than 9,500 citations, with an h-index of 53. Her scientific contributions have been recognised through major awards and fellowships, including the ARC Future Fellowship, NHMRC Investigator Grant, Young Tall Poppy Science Award, UQ Foundation Research Excellence Award, and Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Award.

In addition to her research leadership, A/Prof Qiao contributes extensively to institutional governance, research culture, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. She is a member of the UQ Academic Board, Chair of the AIBN Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Co-Chair of the AIBN Early- and Mid-Career Researcher Committee. She also holds leadership roles in international scientific conferences and university partnership initiatives.

A/Prof Qiao serves as an Associate Editor of Science Advances and the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, and as an Editor of Chemical Engineering Journal: Engineered Materials. She also contributes to the editorial leadership of ACS Polymer Science & Technology and regularly leads international special issues and collections in nanomedicine, polymeric delivery systems, and advanced biomaterials.

A/Prof Qiao welcomes applications from highly motivated PhD candidates with backgrounds in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related disciplines. Competitive scholarship opportunities may be available to outstanding domestic and international candidates.

The University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. UQ is currently ranked equal 40th in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, equal 42nd in the 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, 80th in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 65th in the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities, and 37th in the 2025 NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities.