ZHAO RESEARCH GROUP

Principal Investigator

Yongfeng Zhao, PhD

Contact:

Phone: (601) 979-3490

Email: yongfeng.zhao@jsums.edu

Address:

Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Science

Jackson State University

1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, Mississippi

Bio:

Dr. Yongfeng Zhao earned his PhD. degree in Polymer Chemistry and Engineering. During following postdoctoral research, he studied on interaction of surface and biomolecules, developed peptide microarray for measuring protease activity in the Department of Bioengineering at University of California, Riverside. Later, he worked in Medical School at Washington University in St Louis. There he developed nanomaterials for diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of diseases such as cancer. He also participated phase zero clinical trial of a diagnostic nanoparticle. He is currently an associate professor from Jackson State University. His current research interests are focused on earlier diagnosis and imaging guided therapy of cancer. His research team’s effort was recognized by the NSF CAREER Award, NSF EPSCoR, NSF RIA, and NSF EiR.

Work Experience:

Associate Professor, 2022-present, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

Assistant Professor, 2015-2022, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

Staff Scientist, 2012-2015, Washington University in St Louis, School of Medicine, St Louis, MO

Education:

Postdoc. 2006-2011, Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA

Ph.D. 2000-2005, Polymer Chemistry and Physics, Peking University, China

B.S. 1995-1999, Chemistry, Lanzhou University, China

Honor and Awards:

2022, National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award

2014, Highlight for research, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Postdoctoral Researchers

Dr. Jing Qu (2025-)

Granduate Students

Bosede Kolawole (2023- )

Qinku Zhang (2023- )

Usha Grewal (2024- )

(co-advisor with Dr. Ray and Dr. Davis)

Undergraduate Students

Christian Lipe (2026- )

Major: Chemistry

Expected graduation date: Fall 2026

Bio: My career goals are to get a doctorate and become a chemistry teacher at a college. I love teaching, and I want to help the next generation of college students learn about and appreciate chemistry.

Cecil Taylor (2025- )

Major: Biology

Expected graduation date: May 2026

Bio: Cecil is a biology and accounting student interested in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine, driven by the feeling of truly understanding how things work. They break problems into cause-and-effect patterns and underlying mechanisms. Outside of class, they enjoy playing and repairing instruments, games, and time with friends