🔬 Prof. Dr. Zheng Li is a trailblazing researcher in chemistry and materials science, currently serving as a Full Professor at Jinan University. He earned his Ph.D. 🎓 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and held postdoctoral positions at top U.S. institutions 🇺🇸. His research focuses on wearable sensors, non-invasive diagnostics, and nano-enabled technologies for healthcare 🏥, agriculture 🌱, and environmental monitoring 🌍. With 30+ publications in journals like Nature Plants and ACS Nano, Dr. Li is known for turning innovative ideas into real-world solutions 💡. He is also a dedicated mentor and academic leader 👨🏫.
Prof. Dr Zheng Li, Jinan University, China
Profile
SCOPUS
GOOGLESCHOLAR
🎓 Education
Prof. Dr. Zheng Li earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2012–2017) with an impressive GPA of 3.83/4.00. He also completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry at Nanjing University, maintaining a strong academic record. His education at globally recognized institutions provided a solid foundation in chemical sciences and materials research.
🧪 Research Experience
Prof. Li has held multiple postdoctoral fellowships at prominent U.S. institutions including the University of Illinois, North Carolina State University, and UNC Chapel Hill, working under renowned mentors such as Prof. Kenneth S. Suslick and Prof. Qingshan Wei. He later became an Associate Professor at Shenzhen University (2019–2025) and is currently a Full Professor at Jinan University (since 2025).
📘 Book Chapters
Prof. Dr. Zheng Li showcase his authority in advanced sensor technologies and biomedical diagnostics. In the “Encyclopedia of Sensors and Biosensors” (2023), he authored a key chapter on chemical and optical gas sensors 🔍. His 2020 chapter in “Optoelectronic Organic-Inorganic Semiconductor Heterojunctions” explores cutting-edge optoelectronic sensors for health monitoring ❤️🩹. Earlier, he co-authored a chapter on smartphone-based flow cytometry 📱🧬 in the 2019 volume “Smartphone Based Medical Diagnostics,” highlighting mobile healthcare innovations. These chapters reflect his pioneering role in integrating chemistry, electronics, and health technologies for next-generation diagnostic platforms.
🧬 Research Focus
Dr. Li’s work centers on wearable sensing devices, chemiresistive sensors, volatile metabolite profiling, nanomaterials, and non-invasive diagnostics. His innovations span health diagnostics, food safety, and plant stress monitoring. He integrates cutting-edge nanotechnology with real-world applications in biomedical and environmental fields.
🛠️ Skills and Innovations
Dr. Li’s technical expertise spans chemiresistive sensors, nanoparticle synthesis, microfluidics, bioaerosol sensing, and optical & electronic sensing platforms. He has demonstrated the ability to translate fundamental research into practical diagnostic tools (e.g., smartphone-based biosensors, LEGO-inspired diagnostics).
🏆 Honors and Awards
Prof. Dr. Zheng Li reflect his exceptional contributions to science and mentorship. Recognized among the Stanford University World’s Top 2% Scientists (2021–2024) 🌍, he has also been honored as Best Supervisor and Mentor of the Best Dissertation Award at Shenzhen University 🎓. His early excellence was acknowledged through the P&G Research Award 🧪, the Eastman Travel Award for the ACS National Meeting ✈️, and prestigious fellowships like the Ullyot and Hannum Fellowships 📚 at the University of Illinois. At Nanjing University, he was named an Honor Student of the elite Kuang Yaming Honors School 🌟.
📚Publications
Harnessing NIR-II luminescence in ultrasmall gold nanoparticles for enhanced biomedical applications
Authors: Zhou, Tingyao; Li, Zheng
Focuses on harnessing near-infrared luminescence in gold nanoparticles for biomedical innovation.
Hydrogel-Based Microdroplet Ensembles Encapsulating Multiplexed EXPAR Assays for Trichromic Digital Profiling of MicroRNAs and in-Depth Classification of Primary Urethral Cancers
Authors: Yao, Chanyu; Wang, Qiang; Lu, Xiaohui; Chen, Xiaofeng; Li, Zheng
Journal: Nano Letters, 2024
Develops a hydrogel microdroplet system for precision cancer diagnostics via microRNA profiling.
Expanding the Toolbox of Oxidants: Controllable Etching of Ultrasmall Au Nanoparticles toward Tailorable NIR-II Luminescence and Ligand-Mediated Biodistribution and Clearance
Authors: Zhou, Tingyao; Hu, Chao; He, Kui; Li, Zheng
Journal: Analytical Chemistry, 2024
Explores etching of gold nanoparticles for tunable optical properties and biological performance.
A handheld fluorescent platform integrated with a Sm(III)-CdTe quantum dot-based ratiometric nanoprobe for point-of-use determination of phosphate
Authors: Yin, Shengnan; Li, Zheng
Journal: Nanoscale, 2024
Presents a portable device using quantum dots for environmental phosphate detection.