Assist. Prof. Dr. Changtong YANG | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Changtong YANG , Medicinal Chemistry, Radiochemist/Chemist at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

Dr. Chang-Tong Yang is a renowned radiochemist based in Singapore, specializing in radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Radiological Science Academic Clinical Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School and as a Radiochemist at Singapore General Hospital. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Yang has made significant contributions to the development of nuclear imaging probes and radiolabeled therapeutics. His research career spans prestigious institutions, including Nanyang Technological University and A*STAR. Dr. Yang is internationally recognized for advancing nanomaterial probes and novel radiolabeling strategies. He has authored impactful publications in top-tier journals, reflecting his innovation in theranostics, radiochemistry, and nanomedicine. With a strong background in academic and clinical research, Dr. Yang continues to shape the future of molecular imaging for personalized medicine. His global education and interdisciplinary expertise make him a leading figure in translational radiochemistry research.

Professional Profile :

Orcid

Scopus

Summary of Suitability for Award:

Dr. Chang-Tong Yang exemplifies the qualities of a “Best Researcher Award” recipient. His innovative contributions to radiochemistry and molecular imaging, combined with a strong publication record, interdisciplinary leadership, and global training, establish him as a trailblazer in translational medical research. His work is not only scientifically rigorous but also clinically impactful, directly advancing the field of nuclear medicine. Therefore, he is highly recommended for recognition as a top-tier researcher deserving of this award.

🎓Education:

Dr. Chang-Tong Yang received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the National University of Singapore (1998–2002), where he laid the foundation for his career in radiochemistry. He further enhanced his expertise with postdoctoral fellowships at three prestigious U.S. institutions: University of Iowa (2003–2005), University of Michigan (2005–2006), and Purdue University (2006–2007), focusing on chemistry and health sciences. These formative years provided Dr. Yang with a multidisciplinary perspective in synthetic chemistry, radiopharmaceutical development, and imaging sciences. His international training exposed him to cutting-edge methodologies and collaborative projects across biomedical research, which he has since translated into innovative imaging solutions. The combination of rigorous education and hands-on research across these top institutions shaped his ability to bridge fundamental science with clinical applications, particularly in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

🏢Work Experience:

Dr. Chang-Tong Yang brings extensive professional experience across both academic and clinical research settings. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School (2020–present) under the Radiological Science ACP, focusing on radiopharmaceutical sciences. Concurrently, he serves as a Radiochemist at Singapore General Hospital (2018–present) in the Department of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, where he translates research into clinical practice. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Scientist at Nanyang Technological University (2014–2018), contributing to molecular imaging initiatives within the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. He also held a Senior Scientist role at A*STAR’s Singapore Bio-Imaging Consortium (2007–2014), leading various radiochemistry research programs. Across these roles, Dr. Yang has developed and validated imaging agents, optimized radiolabeling techniques, and led translational studies that impact diagnostic imaging and therapeutic strategies. His multidisciplinary engagements underscore his pivotal role in bridging chemistry and medicine.

🏅Awards:

While specific awards are not listed in the available data, Dr. Chang-Tong Yang’s extensive contributions to radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging reflect a highly respected and impactful career. His appointments at top institutions such as Duke-NUS, A*STAR, and Singapore General Hospital indicate peer recognition and institutional trust. His publications in reputed journals such as Molecules, Nanomaterials, and Drug Discovery Today highlight his standing in the scientific community. His ongoing leadership roles and collaboration with clinicians further underscore professional acknowledgment of his expertise. Dr. Yang’s selection for multiple postdoctoral positions at prestigious U.S. institutions—University of Iowa, University of Michigan, and Purdue University—suggests early recognition of his academic promise. His interdisciplinary contributions to nuclear medicine, nanotechnology, and molecular imaging may have earned him internal institutional awards, research grants, and invitations to present at scientific forums, which commonly accompany such roles.

🔬Research Focus:

Dr. Chang-Tong Yang’s research is centered on radiopharmaceutical science, with a strong emphasis on the development of molecular imaging probes and radiolabeled nanomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. His expertise lies in designing novel radioisotope-labeled compounds for use in nuclear medicine imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT, targeting cancer and other pathological conditions. He is particularly interested in enhancing the in vivo behavior of nanomaterial-based agents, improving tumor targeting, retention, and safety. Dr. Yang also explores the biocompatibility and stability of these probes, including how formulation and labeling protocols influence their function. His translational work bridges laboratory innovations with clinical imaging requirements, enabling personalized diagnostics and theranostic approaches. Furthermore, he investigates radiochemical compatibility in clinical settings, such as the mixing of imaging agents with contrast media, which supports safe and effective imaging protocols. His work integrates chemistry, imaging, and clinical practice seamlessly.

Publication Top Notes:

1. pH-Induced In Situ Aggregation of Cu₂₋ₓSe-POED with Extended Tumor Retention for Enhanced Chemodynamic/Photothermal Therapy

2. Standard Radio-Iodine Labeling Protocols Impaired the Functional Integrity of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Exosomes

3. Radiolabeled Liposomes for Nuclear Imaging Probes

4. Radiochemical Feasibility of Mixing of 99mTc-MAA and 90Y-Microspheres with Omnipaque Contrast

5. Nanomaterial Probes for Nuclear Imaging

6. Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging in Drug Discovery

7. An In Vivo Study of a Rat Fluid-Percussion-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Model with [11C]PBR28 and [18F]flumazenil PET Imaging

8. Gadolinium-Based Bimodal Probes to Enhance T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance/Optical Imaging

9. Activatable Cell-Penetrating Peptide Conjugated Polymeric Nanoparticles with Gd-Chelation and Aggregation-Induced Emission for Bimodal MR and Fluorescence Imaging of Tumors

10. Dealing with PET Radiometabolites

11. PET-MR and SPECT-MR Multimodality Probes