Prof. Haq Nawaz | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Haq Nawaz | Materials Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Haq Nawaz | Materials Chemistry | Professor of Chemistry at Huaiyin Normal University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China

Dr. Haq Nawaz is a Professor of Chemistry at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Normal University, China. With over 65 publications in high-impact journals, his research focuses on biomass-derived functional materials, cellulose modification, and fluorescent sensors. He has received prestigious fellowships, including the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) and the CNPq-TWAS Ph.D. Fellowship. Dr. Nawaz has extensive experience in academia and research, with postdoctoral stints at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Beijing Forestry University. His work on biopolymer-based smart materials has contributed significantly to green chemistry and sustainable material development. He actively participates in national and international research projects, securing major grants. His expertise spans chemical/physical modification of cellulose and lignin, developing super-strong films, fibers, and paper electronics. His dedication to multifunctional material synthesis makes him a leading scientist in his field.

Professional Profile :         

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Haq Nawaz is an exceptional candidate for the “Best Researcher Award”, given his extensive contributions to the field of biomass-based smart materials and green chemistry. With over 65 high-impact research articles in prestigious journals such as ACS Nano, Chemical Engineering Journal, Green Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry, he has demonstrated scientific excellence and innovation. His research, which focuses on developing sustainable materials, functional fluorescent sensors, and advanced bio-based polymers, has profound implications for renewable energy, smart packaging, and biodegradable materials. Dr. Nawaz has successfully led and contributed to multiple funded research projects, securing substantial grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other institutions. His global academic journey, spanning research roles in China, Brazil, Pakistan, Finland, and the UK, highlights his international impact. Additionally, his recognition through prestigious fellowships, including the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) and CNPq-TWAS Postgraduate Fellowship, further solidifies his status as a leading scientist in his domain. With an impressive research portfolio, a strong publication record, and a commitment to innovation in green chemistry and sustainable materials, Dr. Haq Nawaz is a highly deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award”. His work not only advances scientific knowledge but also contributes to environmental sustainability and technological advancements in material science.

🎓Education:

Dr. Haq Nawaz holds a Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil (2010-2014), funded by a CNPq-TWAS fellowship. During his doctoral studies, he conducted a sandwich research project at Aalto University, Finland (2013). Prior to this, he completed an M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan (2003-2005), where he earned a Distinction Certificate. He also passed competitive exams, including the International Subjective GRE (Chemistry) with 68 percentile and the Graduate Assessment Test (GAT) with 87 percentile. Additionally, he served as a Research Assistant at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi (2006-2009). His strong academic background laid the foundation for his expertise in biopolymer chemistry, material science, and functional materials development.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Haq Nawaz has an extensive professional career in academia and research. He is currently a Professor of Chemistry at Huaiyin Normal University, China (2023–Present). Previously, he was a Research Associate at Beijing Forestry University (2019–2023) under the Talent Induction Program (Category A). He completed two Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (2016–2019), supported by the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) and the Young International Scientists Fellowship. Dr. Nawaz also worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Education, Lahore (2015–2016). During his Ph.D., he served as a Research Assistant at H.E.J. Research Institute, University of Karachi (2006–2009). His expertise in biopolymer modification, fluorescent sensor design, and sustainable material development has led to multiple high-impact publications and significant contributions to biomass-based functional materials.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Haq Nawaz has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to chemistry and material sciences through numerous prestigious fellowships and research awards. He was a recipient of the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) for postdoctoral research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS), Beijing (2017–2019). Additionally, he received the Young International Scientists Fellowship from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2016–2017). His doctoral research was fully funded by the CNPq-TWAS Postgraduate Fellowship (2010–2014), a prestigious award from the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). He also secured a six-month IRSIP scholarship from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) to conduct research at the University of Oxford, UK. Earlier in his career, he received a Research Assistant Fellowship from H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan (2006–2009).

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Haq Nawaz specializes in biomass dissolution and transformation into multifunctional materials, with a primary emphasis on cellulose and lignin-based smart materials. His work involves the chemical and physical modification of lignocellulosic materials to develop fluorescent sensors, electrospun fibers, regenerated fibers, and high-performance films for use in paper electronics, OLEDs, and sustainable packaging. He is particularly interested in designing cellulose-based solid fluorescent materials, synthesizing ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents (DES) for biomass processing, and developing eco-friendly solvents for sustainable material fabrication. His research also extends to the selective separation and functionalization of agricultural straw components for enhanced adsorption and material applications. By integrating advanced material science with green chemistry, he aims to pioneer innovative and sustainable technologies for bio-based electronic devices, biodegradable packaging, and energy-efficient material.

Publication Top Notes:

Translucent and Anti-ultraviolet Aramid Nanofiber Films with Efficient Light Management Fabricated by Sol–Gel Transformation​

Facile Preparation of Lignin-Based Material for Fluorescent Detection of Pyrrole

An Efficient Approach for the Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate from Lignin by Alkali-Halophile Halomonas alkalicola M2​

Cellulose-Based Fluorescent Material for Extreme pH Sensing and Smart Printing Applications​

Anisotropic Cellulose Nanofibril Aerogels Fabricated by Directional Stabilization and Ambient Drying for Efficient Solar Evaporation​

Lignin Nanorods Reinforced Nanocomposite Hydrogels with UV-Shielding, Anti-Freezing and Anti-Drying Applications​

Laminar Regenerated Cellulose Membrane Employed for High-Performance Photothermal-Gating Osmotic Power Harvesting

Lead in Drinking Water: Adsorption Method and Role of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for Its Remediation: A Review

Janus Biopolymer Sponge with Porous Structure Based on Water Hyacinth Petiole for Efficient Solar Steam Generation

Surface-Microstructured Cellulose Films Toward Sensitive Pressure Sensors and Efficient Triboelectric Nanogenerators

 

Dr. Xufen Yu | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Xufen Yu | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Xufen Yu | Medicinal Chemistry | Associate Professor at Fudan University, China

Dr. Xufen Yu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Fudan University’s School of Pharmacy. She specializes in drug discovery, chemical biology, and targeted protein degradation, particularly in cancer therapeutics. Before joining Fudan University, she was an Instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she contributed significantly to pharmacological sciences. Dr. Yu has also held postdoctoral positions at Purdue University and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She holds a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry. Her research has led to numerous high-impact publications in journals such as Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Oncogene, and Nature Cancer. With extensive expertise in PROTAC-based therapeutics and epigenetic regulation, Dr. Yu continues to make significant contributions to the field of medicinal chemistry and targeted cancer therapy.

Professional Profile : 

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Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Xufen Yu is an exceptionally accomplished researcher in medicinal chemistry, with significant contributions to drug discovery, targeted protein degradation, and epigenetics. Her extensive academic background, including a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and postdoctoral research at prestigious institutions such as Purdue University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, demonstrates her expertise in chemical biology and small-molecule therapeutics. She has consistently advanced the field through high-impact publications, innovative research, and groundbreaking discoveries in PROTACs and DUBTACs, which have transformed targeted cancer therapy.  Given her outstanding achievements, innovative research, and contributions to medicinal chemistry, Dr. Xufen Yu is highly suitable for the “Best Researcher Award”. Her pioneering work in targeted protein degradation, combined with her international recognition and research excellence, makes her a strong candidate. Her research has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also holds significant promise for therapeutic applications, reinforcing her eligibility for this distinguished honor.

🎓Education:

Dr. Xufen Yu earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, in 2011. Her doctoral research focused on synthetic organic chemistry and drug discovery. Prior to that, she completed her undergraduate studies at Anhui University, Hefei, China, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 2006. With a strong academic foundation, Dr. Yu developed expertise in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and targeted protein degradation. Her educational journey equipped her with extensive knowledge of molecular design, synthetic methodologies, and structure-activity relationship studies, laying the groundwork for her future contributions to pharmacological sciences. Her rigorous training in organic synthesis and chemical biology has driven her impactful research in developing novel therapeutics, particularly in targeted protein degradation and epigenetic regulation.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Xufen Yu has had a distinguished career in academia and research, with extensive postdoctoral and faculty experience. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Before joining Fudan, she was an Instructor in the Department of Pharmacological Science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (2021–2022), following a postdoctoral fellowship at the same institution from 2017 to 2020. She also worked as a postdoctoral fellow in Chemistry at Purdue University (2013–2014) and in Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo (2011–2013). Through these roles, she has contributed significantly to medicinal chemistry, focusing on drug discovery, targeted protein degradation, and cancer therapeutics. Her work across multiple prestigious institutions reflects her expertise in interdisciplinary research, integrating chemistry and pharmacology to develop novel small-molecule therapeutics.

🏅Awards: 

Dr. Xufen Yu has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. She has received multiple awards and research grants for her pioneering work in targeted protein degradation and epigenetics. Her innovative research has been acknowledged with prestigious fellowships and funding from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Additionally, she has been honored for her significant publications in high-impact journals, receiving accolades for breakthrough studies on PROTACs and epigenetic regulators in cancer therapy. Her commitment to scientific excellence has led to invitations as a speaker at international conferences, where she has shared her expertise in medicinal chemistry. Dr. Yu’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing chemical biology and therapeutic discovery, making her a well-respected figure in her field.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Xufen Yu’s research focuses on the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting disease-related proteins, particularly in cancer and metabolic disorders. Her expertise lies in targeted protein degradation, including the design and synthesis of PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) and DUBTACs (Deubiquitinase Targeting Chimeras). She has explored epigenetic regulation in cancer therapy, investigating how small molecules can modulate oncogenic transcription factors and chromatin regulators. Her work also includes studying the role of ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy systems in disease mechanisms, aiming to develop highly selective small-molecule therapeutics. Through interdisciplinary approaches combining medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and pharmacology, she has contributed to advancing targeted cancer treatments. Dr. Yu’s research has led to the discovery of several potent and selective degraders for oncogenic proteins such as EZH2, WDR5, and USP7, paving the way for new treatment modalities in oncology.

Publication Top Notes:

Macrocyclic drugs and synthetic methodologies toward macrocycles
Authors: X Yu, D Sun
Citations: 276
Year: 2013

Glutamine anabolism plays a critical role in pancreatic cancer by coupling carbon and nitrogen metabolism
Authors: AJ Bott, J Shen, C Tonelli, L Zhan, N Sivaram, YP Jiang, X Yu, V Bhatt, …
Citations: 155
Year: 2019

Discovery of potent and selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) bifunctional small-molecule degraders
Authors: M Cheng, X Yu, K Lu, L Xie, L Wang, F Meng, X Han, X Chen, J Liu, …
Citations: 151
Year: 2020

EZH2 noncanonically binds cMyc and p300 through a cryptic transactivation domain to mediate gene activation and promote oncogenesis
Authors: J Wang, X Yu, W Gong, X Liu, KS Park, A Ma, YH Tsai, Y Shen, T Onikubo, …
Citations: 134
Year: 2022

A selective WDR5 degrader inhibits acute myeloid leukemia in patient-derived mouse models
Authors: X Yu, D Li, J Kottur, Y Shen, HS Kim, KS Park, YH Tsai, W Gong, J Wang, …
Citations: 103
Year: 2021

Discovery of first-in-class protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) degraders
Authors: Y Shen, G Gao, X Yu, H Kim, L Wang, L Xie, M Schwarz, X Chen, …
Citations: 84
Year: 2020

Dose-dependent activation of gene expression is achieved using CRISPR and small molecules that recruit endogenous chromatin machinery
Authors: AM Chiarella, KV Butler, BE Gryder, D Lu, TA Wang, X Yu, S Pomella, …
Citations: 77
Year: 2020

Cationic Palladium Complex Catalyzed Diastereo-and Enantioselective Tandem Annulation of 2-Formylarylboronic Acids with Allenoates
Authors: X Yu, X Lu
Citations: 57
Year: 2009

AKT degradation selectively inhibits the growth of PI3K/PTEN pathway–mutant cancers with wild-type KRAS and BRAF by destabilizing aurora kinase B
Authors: J Xu, X Yu, TC Martin, A Bansal, K Cheung, A Lubin, E Stratikopoulos, …
Citations: 51
Year: 2021

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of potent, selective, and bioavailable AKT kinase degraders
Authors: X Yu, J Xu, L Xie, L Wang, Y Shen, KM Cahuzac, X Chen, J Liu …
Citations: 42
Year: 2021