Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xiuxia Sun | Protein Science | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Lanzhou University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xiuxia Sun is a leading researcher and educator in pharmaceutics and bioanalytical chemistry at the School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University. With a strong background in peptide-based and protein-based biomaterials, she focuses on developing innovative diagnostic tools and next-generation biomedical materials. She earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Lanzhou University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Biology at the same institution. Dr. Sun has authored over 20 impactful peer-reviewed publications and serves as a mentor to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research integrates chemistry, biology, and material science, with particular emphasis on collagen mimetic peptides, fluorescence-based sensors, and tissue engineering. She is proficient in both English and Chinese and contributes significantly to the scientific community through collaborative research, teaching, and national-level funding projects. Her dedication to biomimetic innovation and translational medicine continues to drive progress in disease diagnostics and regenerative therapies. 🧫📚🧪

professional profile

Scopus Profile

Education

Dr. Xiuxia Sun’s academic journey is rooted in chemistry and biomedical sciences, having completed all her higher education at Lanzhou University, one of China’s premier research institutions. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, followed by a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from 2013 to 2016. Her graduate work laid the foundation for her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, which she completed from 2016 to 2019. Her doctoral studies focused on collagen peptides and advanced bio-sensing systems, combining materials science with biochemical analysis. From 2019 to 2021, she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship in Biology at the School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, where she expanded her expertise in protein-based biomaterials and self-assembly technologies. Her academic foundation is multidisciplinary, spanning chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutics, which positions her at the intersection of fundamental research and applied medical science. 🎓🔬🧬

Work Experience

Dr. Sun currently serves as an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics at Lanzhou University’s School of Pharmacy, where she teaches undergraduate courses and supervises graduate research in biomaterials and pharmaceutical science. Her academic experience is enriched by a postdoctoral research position (2019–2021) in Biology at the School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, where she contributed to interdisciplinary projects bridging biology and materials science. She has developed and taught key courses, including “Pharmaceutics,” published by the People’s Medical Publishing House in 2023. Dr. Sun has collaborated on numerous research projects and has an active role in publishing, mentoring, and promoting international collaborations. With hands-on experience in fluorescence spectroscopy, peptide design, collagen research, and nanomaterial synthesis, she is instrumental in the development of peptide and protein-based therapeutic technologies. Her dual roles in research and education have made her a respected figure in both academic and applied pharmaceutical fields. 🧑‍🏫📖🧪

Research Focus

Dr. Xiuxia Sun’s research lies at the cutting edge of bioanalytical chemistry, peptide self-assembly, and biomimetic materials, with a focus on translating fundamental science into practical biomedical applications. Her work centers on three core areas. First, in bioanalytical chemistry, she develops fluorescent peptide probes capable of selectively recognizing key protein biomarkers, enabling highly specific and sensitive tools for disease diagnostics. Second, she engineers peptide-based biomaterials, constructing self-assembling peptide systems that mimic the structure and function of the extracellular matrix, which are particularly valuable in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Third, she explores protein-based biomaterials, designing innovative, biocompatible, and cross-linked protein systems as next-generation therapeutic materials. Dr. Sun has a special interest in collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) for use in diagnostics, imaging, and biological scaffolding. Her work also integrates luminescent nanofibers, bioactive hydrogels, and graphene-based biosensors. With over 20 peer-reviewed publications, her interdisciplinary approach spans materials chemistry, biophysics, and pharmaceutical sciences, contributing significantly to precision medicine. 🔬🧬

Conclusion

Dr. Xiuxia Sun is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her portfolio reflects scientific excellence, interdisciplinary innovation, and real-world impact. Her research addresses pressing biomedical challenges with novel materials and techniques, particularly in diagnostics and regenerative medicine. With further international exposure and translational development, she is poised to become a leading global voice in biomimetic materials and bioanalytical science. Awarding Dr. Sun would not only recognize her outstanding achievements but also promote impactful female leadership in biomedical research.

Publications to Noted

Title: Strategic enhancement of collagen detection using lanthanide-functionalized collagen targeted peptides
Authors: Jean Claude Munyemana, Xiuxia Sun, Lu Li, Eskandar Qaed, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: 1
Year: 2025
Journal: Talanta

Title: Design and development of a soluble PDA-Emodin-PVP-MN patch and its anti-obesity effect in rats
Authors: Haijiao Wang, Lifang Wang, Meng Wang, Xuefeng Li, Yanbin Shi
Citations: 0
Year: 2025
Journal: Drug Delivery and Translational Research
(Xiuxia Sun not listed as author in this one)

Title: Low-temperature DLP 3D printing of low-concentration collagen methacryloyl for the fabrication of durable and bioactive personalized scaffolds
Authors: Xiaxia Yang, Linyan Yao, Xiuxia Sun, Lili Wang, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: 8
Year: 2024
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

Title: A graphene oxide-based FRET sensor for rapid and specific detection of unfolded collagen fragments
Authors: Xiuxia Sun, Jun Fan, Yuping Zhang, Hongli Chen, Yongqing Zhao, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: Not provided (previously recorded: approx. 25)
Year: 2016
Journal: Biosensors and Bioelectronics

Title: A highly specific graphene platform for sensing collagen triple helix
Authors: Xiuxia Sun, Jun Fan, Weiran Ye, Han Zhang, Yong Cong, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: Not provided (estimated: >20)
Year: 2016
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry B

Title: CD and NMR investigation of collagen peptides mimicking a pathological Gly-Ser mutation and a natural interruption in a similar highly charged sequence context
Authors: Xiuxia Sun, Songqing Liu, Wenyuan Yu, Shaoru Wang, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: Not provided (estimated: ~15)
Year: 2016
Journal: Protein Science

Title: A natural interruption displays higher global stability and local conformational flexibility than a similar Gly mutation sequence in collagen mimic peptides
Authors: Xiuxia Sun, Yalin Chai, Qianqian Wang, Huanxiang Liu, Shaoru Wang, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: Not provided (estimated: ~15)
Year: 2015
Journal: Biochemistry

Title: Immobilized trypsin on hydrophobic cellulose decorated nanoparticles shows good stability and reusability for protein digestion
Authors: Xiuxia Sun, Xiangdong Cai, Renqi Wang, Jianxi Xiao
Citations: Not provided (estimated: ~10)
Year: 2015
Journal: Analytical Biochemistry

Title: Hydrogen bonding at the natural interruption sites in Type IV collagen drives the formation of single-component heterotrimer collagen peptides
Authors: Jianxi Xiao, Xiuxia Sun, Balaraman Madhan, Barbara Brodsky, Jean Baum
Citations: Not provided (estimated: >20)
Year: 2015
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry

Title: Local amino acid sequence patterns dominate the heterogeneous phenotype for the collagen connective tissue disease Osteogenesis Imperfecta resulting from Gly mutations
Authors: Jianxi Xiao, Zhangfu Yang, Xiuxia Sun, Rayna Addabbo, Jean Baum
Citations: Not provided (estimated: ~20)
Year: 2015

Xiuxia Sun | Protein Science | Best Researcher Award