Hou-Qun Ying | Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | Research Excellence Award

Prof. Hou-Qun Ying | Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | Research Excellence Award 

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University | China

Dr. Hou-Qun Ying, PhD, born on July 18, 1985, in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, China, is an accomplished clinical scientist specializing in cancer biomarkers, inflammation-related indices, molecular epidemiology, and therapeutic response prediction. He currently serves as the Vice Director of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, where he plays a leading role in translational research, diagnostic innovation, and clinical laboratory management. Dr. Ying earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis from Southeast University (2013–2016), after completing his Master of Medicine in Pathogenic Biology at Dali University and his Bachelor of Medicine in Medical Laboratory Science from Tianjin Medical University. His academic and professional journey reflects strong expertise in cancer diagnostics, genetic polymorphisms, biomarker development, and precision medicine. Dr. Ying has successfully led multiple competitive research grants, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Fund (2018–2020), exploring Hippo-pathway-related genetic variations and EGFR-TKI resistance in non-small cell lung cancer, and the 2024–2027 Regional Fund focusing on SP1 transcription factor–related genetic variations as biomarkers for bevacizumab resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer. His research contributions span more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, with many as first, co-first, or corresponding author in high-impact journals such as Scientific Reports, Oncotarget, Cancer Medicine, Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology, Frontiers in Oncology, Pharmacological Research, Biomarkers, Future Oncology, and J Inflammation Research. His studies have provided pivotal insights into inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen-to-pre-albumin ratio, albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio, dNLR, PLR, and novel composite biomarkers for cancer prognosis, treatment response prediction, early diagnosis, and recurrence risk stratification. He has also made influential contributions to colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, gallbladder carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and NSCLC through biomarker innovation, clinical prediction models, and meta-analytic evaluations. As a corresponding author, Dr. Ying has developed and validated numerous inflammation-based and genetic biomarker signatures, such as FPR, ADS score, MLPAS, CCMLP, and chronic inflammation indices, improving precision therapeutic decisions for chemotherapy, bevacizumab, 5-FU–based regimens, and TKIs. Additionally, his collaborative work extends to machine learning applications in early gastric cancer prediction, molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, and multi-omics approaches. With a distinguished record of scientific leadership, grant success, and impactful publications, Dr. Ying continues to advance clinical oncology diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies through rigorous research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Peng, Y., Shang, R., Wang, Z.-J., Ye, Q.-Y., Tang, X.-Y., Cheng, X.-X., & Ying, H.-Q. (2025). Chronic inflammatory comprehensive signature predicts oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil benefit in early colorectal cancer. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S556619

Lu, Y., Ye, Q.-Y., Mei, O., Li, Y.-N., Peng, Y., Ying, H.-Q., & Cheng, X.-X. (2025). Chronic inflammation index-based tumor subsite classification correlated with chemotherapy benefit and survival outcomes in stage II–III colorectal cancer. Journal of Inflammation Research. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S517378

Ye, Q.-Y., Wang, Y.-Y., Wang, Z.-J., Lu, M., Peng, H.-X., Wang, X., Cheng, X.-X., & Ying, H.-Q. (2025). Robust predictive performance of MLPAS and CCMLP for clinical outcome and risk stratification in patients with colorectal cancer. Journal of Inflammation Research. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S498028

Tian, H., Liu, Z., Zhang, Z., Zhang, L., Zong, Z., Liu, J., Ying, H., & Li, H. (2023). Clinical significance of fibrinogen and platelet to pre-albumin ratio in predicting the prognosis of advanced gastric cancer. Journal of Inflammation Research. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S412033

Ying, H.-Q., Liao, Y.-C., Luo, Y.-R., Xiong, G., Huang, Y., Nie, R.-W., Xiong, C.-F., & Cheng, X.-X. (2021). Cancer-elicited inflammation attenuates response and outcome in tyrosine kinase inhibitor naïve patients with advanced NSCLC. Pharmacological Research, 105734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105734

Ying, H.-Q., You, X.-H., Liao, Y.-C., Sun, F., & Cheng, X.-X. (2021). High-grade inflammation attenuates chemosensitivity and confers poor survival of surgical stage III CRC patients. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 580455. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.580455

Liao, Y.-C., Ying, H.-Q., Huang, Y., Luo, Y.-R., Xiong, C.-F., Nie, R.-W., Li, X.-J., & Cheng, X.-X. (2021). Role of chronic inflammatory ratios in predicting recurrence of resected patients with stage I–III mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Management and Research, 13, 303758. https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S303758

Li-Na Gao | Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award | 13230

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li-Na Gao | Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li-Na Gao, Jining Medical University, China

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Li-Na Gao is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia and an academic leader at Jining Medical University, China. Her research focuses on neuropsychopharmacology and anti-inflammatory immune pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). She has led multiple research projects, published over 40 academic papers (H-index: 21, citations: 1,900+), and collaborates on innovative TCM drug development. Dr. Gao holds key editorial and professional memberships, contributing significantly to TCM research, particularly in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, inflammation, and gut-brain interaction. She has secured ¥1.04 million in research funding and actively promotes TCM modernization.

Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Dr. Li-Na Gao embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), leading her to become an esteemed researcher and educator in the field. Her passion for TCM and its applications in modern pharmacology inspired her to pursue advanced studies. After earning her Ph.D., she further honed her expertise as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia. Her early academic years were marked by rigorous research into the pharmacological mechanisms of TCM, setting the stage for her later contributions to neuropsychopharmacology and inflammatory immune pharmacology.

Professional Endeavors 💼

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at Jining Medical University, Dr. Gao plays a crucial role in advancing the field of TCM. She has established herself as an academic leader in key TCM disciplines in Shandong Province. With her extensive background, she has been instrumental in mentoring students, conducting cutting-edge research, and collaborating with renowned institutions. Her work extends beyond academia, encompassing consultancy projects and significant contributions to the development of TCM-based treatments.

Contributions and Research Focus 📝

Dr. Gao’s research is primarily centered on the neuropsychopharmacology and inflammatory immune pharmacology of TCM. She has made significant contributions in the following areas:

  • Heart, Brain, and Intestine Disease Correlation: She has explored the scientific underpinnings of TCM theories, such as “the heart dominates the mind, and the small intestine is exterior to interior.”
  • Inflammatory Metabolic Damage and Depression: She has pioneered the understanding that inflammatory metabolic damage is a key pathological mechanism of depression and its co-occurrence with somatic diseases.
  • Intestinal-Brain Communication: Her work has identified TLR4 as the critical “bridge molecule” in mediating inflammatory metabolic disorders, enhancing our understanding of gut-brain interactions.
  • Secondary Development of TCM: She has provided significant insights into the mechanisms of Gegen Qinlian decoction, Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl., puerarin, and glycyrrhizic acid, thereby enhancing their applications in modern medicine.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Gao has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to research and academia. She has published over 40 academic papers, boasting an H-index of 21 and more than 1,900 citations. Her editorial appointments include:

  • Visiting Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Pharmacology (2021–Present)
  • Youth Editorial Board Member of Acupuncture and Herb Medicine (2022–2024)
  • Youth Editorial Board Member of Advanced Gut & Microbiome Research (2022–2023)
  • Youth Editorial Board Member of Tianjin Traditional Chinese Medicine (2023–Present)

She has also been an integral part of major collaborative research projects, including a 1.04 million RMB-funded project on acute and chronic inflammatory diseases in cooperation with Rizhao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Dr. Gao’s research has had a profound impact on the global TCM community. Her contributions extend beyond research papers and patents to shaping policies and educational curriculums. As a standing committee member of multiple prestigious organizations, she has influenced the standardization and modernization of TCM research. Her work in bridging the gap between traditional medicine and modern pharmacology has helped in integrating TCM into contemporary medical practices.

Publication Top Notes

Author: Xu, D., Gao, L.-N., Song, X.-J., Cui, Y.-L., Wang, Q.

Journal: Nanobiotechnology

Year: 2023

Author: Huang, M., He, Y., Tian, L., Gao, S., Yu, C.

Journal: Affective Disorders

Year: 2023

Polysaccharides from Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior by inhibiting HTR2A/HTR2C mediated AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin/CBP/BDNF signalling

Author: Ruhui Shen, Jian’an Wang, Yijin Zhao, Zhaojin Dang , Ke Zhang, Ming Li , Qian Yang , Li-Na Gao

Journal: Biological Molecules

Year: 2025