Zhi Luo

Dr. Zhi Luo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. Born in China in 1991, he received his Bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University in 2013 and his PhD with distinction from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland in 2018 under the supervision of Professor Francesco Stellacci. After completing postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich under Professor Jean-Christophe Leroux, he joined SUSTech in 2021 as a full-time faculty member and was selected as a National High-Level Talent (Young Talent).

Dr. Luo's educational journey began with a Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University (2009-2013), followed by a PhD in Materials Science from EPFL, Switzerland (2013-2018). His doctoral research focused on the physical chemistry and synchrotron characterization of complex nanomaterial interfaces, earning him the EPFL Thesis Distinction Award in 2018.

Dr. Luo heads the Laboratory of Bioinspired Medicine and Materials, where his research integrates surface sciences, supramolecular chemistry, 3D printing, and material characterization to develop innovative pharmaceutical solutions, with a particular emphasis on oral drug delivery. His interdisciplinary approach identifies fundamental scientific questions from complex medical phenomena and applies advanced characterization techniques to develop novel drug delivery systems. His research in oral drug delivery has progressed to human trials, demonstrating significant clinical translation potential.

Analysis of Dr. Luo's publication record reveals a strong focus on nanomaterial interfaces, drug delivery systems, and advanced characterization techniques. His work spans pharmaceutical sciences, materials science, and biomedical engineering, with notable contributions in gold nanoparticle characterization, 3D printing of medical devices, and novel drug delivery mechanisms. A significant portion of his research involves collaboration with multinational pharmaceutical companies, highlighting the translational nature of his work.

• IPW Young Scientist Lecture Award, ETHZ (2020)
• ETH Fellow (2019)
• EPFL Thesis Distinction Award (2018)
• Chinese government award for outstanding self-financed student study abroad (2018)
• Highlight research of the year, Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (2016)
• June Tsao-Yu Scholarship (2012)

Dr. Luo maintains long-term collaborations with multiple multinational pharmaceutical companies and has established a robust research program focused on translating fundamental discoveries into clinical applications. His laboratory provides comprehensive training in scientific research, instrument platform development, laboratory management, and grant writing, supporting students and researchers in pursuing advanced degrees and professional development opportunities.

The Laboratory of Bioinspired Medicine and Materials features a highly interdisciplinary environment with expertise spanning materials physics and chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, synchrotron radiation, and neutron scattering characterization. The lab actively recruits PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants across multiple disciplines including materials chemistry, drug delivery, biology/medicine, and engineering, with a focus on addressing unmet clinical needs through innovative pharmaceutical solutions.