Principal Investigator
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:
2014, Highlight for research, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Postdoctoral Researchers
Granduate Students
Bosede Kolawole (2023- )
Qinku Zhang (2023- )
Usha Grewal (2024- )
(co-advisor with Dr. Ray and Dr. Davis)
Undergraduate Students
Bethanny Satcher (2025- )
Daylen Timmons (2025- )
Alumni
Jing Qu
PhD student (2019-2024)
Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher at JSU
Terriona C Cowan
MS student
Current position: Researcher-Pharmacology/Toxicology, UMMC
Zelena Johnson
MS student
Devin Guillory
MS student
Dr. Bin Tian, Postdoctoral Researcher
Current position: Associate Professor, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics
Dr. Xianchun Zhu, Postdoctoral Researcher
Current position: Lab Technician Jackson State University
Dr. Sanjay Singh, Postdoctoral Researcher
Current position: Research Associate School of Medicine, Tulane University