Zhihong Xu

Dr. Zhihong Xu is a Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences. Based at the Ingham Institute in Liverpool, NSW, he specializes in pancreatic cancer research, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic stellate cells. With an H-index of 17, he has published over 20 peer-reviewed papers with more than 1,500 citations, including 10 publications with over 1,200 citations in the past five years.

Dr. Xu's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of pancreatic cancer progression, particularly the role of pancreatic stellate cells in tumor microenvironment, cancer metastasis, and pancreatic cancer-related diabetes. His work examines how exosomes derived from cancer and stellate cells influence insulin signaling pathways and contribute to diabetes development in pancreatic cancer patients.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on tumor microenvironment, exosome-mediated communication between cancer and stromal cells, and therapeutic targeting of pathways like HGF/c-MET and urokinase plasminogen activator. His research demonstrates how inhibiting these pathways in combination with chemotherapy can enhance anti-tumor immunity, reduce metastasis, and improve treatment outcomes.

Scientific Awards:

• Basic Research Paper of the Year by the South West Sydney Clinical Campuses (2020)
• Finalist of Young Investigator Award, Australian Gastroenterology Week 2019
• Young Investigator Travel Award for the 2018 American Pancreatic Association meeting
• Travel Award from International Association of Pancreatology (2017)
• Papers of the Year Biomedical Research (South Western Sydney Clinical School)
• Young Investigator Travel Award from IAP (2015)
• Paper of the Month Awards (School of Medical Sciences)

Dr. Xu actively supervises Honours, Masters, and PhD students in translational medical research. His grant funding includes an NHMRC Ideas Grant as co-investigator (2020-2023), a Tour de Cure project as chief investigator (2019), and an Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Accelerator Grant as co-investigator (2018-2020).