Zhijun Liu

Zhijun Liu is a Professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University. His research focuses on solubility enhancement of bioactive compounds, discovery of natural solubilizers from medicinal plants, and development of novel drug delivery systems. His work has led to innovations in reformulating poorly soluble drugs like paclitaxel using plant-derived nanoparticles.

Education:

• Ph.D., Michigan State University (1991)
• M.S., Oklahoma State University (1988)
• B.S., Henan Agricultural University (1982)

Key research areas include extracting bioactive compounds from plant materials, developing anti-angiogenic formulations, and creating natural pesticides. His group has significantly advanced the use of rubusoside for solubility enhancement, enabling 175,000-fold solubility improvements for compounds like curcumin.

Recent publications demonstrate cross-disciplinary approaches in pharmaceutical science, cancer research, and agricultural entomology, with consistent focus on natural product applications.

He teaches RNR/HORT 2018: Introduction to Medicinal Plants, covering plant chemistry, extraction methods, and nutraceutical applications. His lab collaborates widely on projects ranging from cancer nanotherapeutics to eco-friendly pest control.