Director, Department of Nuclear Medicine at The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, China
Dr. Lu Wang is a distinguished Research Fellow and Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou. With over a decade of experience in radiopharmaceutical science and molecular imaging, he has pioneered innovative PET tracers for diagnosing neurological disorders and cancers. Dr. Wang’s contributions span translational medicine, drug development, and clinical applications, establishing him as a leading expert in China’s nuclear medicine landscape. His interdisciplinary work focuses on non-invasive imaging of biological targets using radiolabeled probes, enabling breakthroughs in precision diagnosis and therapy. Having published over 40 SCI-indexed articles and authored national expert consensus documents, Dr. Wang is also an influential voice in academic policy and clinical standard-setting. His research achievements, coupled with leadership roles in national societies and prestigious international collaborations, make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with a clear vision for innovation and impact in medical science.
Professional Profile
Education🎓
Dr. Lu Wang received his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the Ocean University of China in 2010, laying a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences. He then pursued his doctoral studies at Peking University, earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry (Chemical Genetics) in 2016 under the supervision of Prof. David Zhigang Wang. During his Ph.D., he cultivated expertise in chemical biology, molecular design, and biomedical research. His international exposure includes two research assistantships at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he focused on radiochemistry and PET imaging under the mentorship of Drs. Steven H. Liang and Neil Vasdev. Since 2017, he has also served as a visiting research fellow at Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, further deepening his specialization in radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear imaging. This diverse educational background reflects a global and multidisciplinary approach to research, equipping him with robust scientific acumen and translational capabilities.
Professional Experience📝
Dr. Lu Wang has held progressive roles at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University since 2016. Initially appointed as an Associate Research Fellow, he advanced to Research Fellow in 2021, reflecting his growing contributions to the field of nuclear medicine. He served as Vice Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine from 2021 to 2023 and was later promoted to Director in 2023. In addition, he is Co-Director of the Key Laboratory of Basic and Translational Research on Radiopharmaceuticals. His leadership extends to clinical translation of radiotracers and overseeing research programs in molecular imaging. Dr. Wang has successfully directed national and provincial-level projects while supervising doctoral candidates. He also plays an active role in the development of expert consensus documents and national guidelines, emphasizing his influence on policy and clinical standardization. His positions reflect a balanced integration of research leadership, institutional development, and strategic vision in precision medicine.
Research Interest🔎
Dr. Lu Wang’s research focuses on the development of radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging agents targeting major physiological systems, including the endocannabinoid, dopamine, glutamate, cholesterol, and tumor metabolism-immunity axes. He specializes in radiolabeling biologically active molecules with PET isotopes (e.g., ¹⁸F, ¹¹C) to visualize disease biomarkers non-invasively. His work bridges chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical translation, addressing critical medical conditions such as brain tumors, prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. Through preclinical and clinical evaluation, he has advanced several imaging tracers to real-world hospital applications, facilitating precise diagnostics and treatment planning. Dr. Wang’s vision aligns with promoting personalized medicine through innovative imaging technologies. He also contributes to consensus-building efforts and guideline development, ensuring that research outcomes influence nationwide medical practice. His interest in translational radiochemistry is supported by strong interdisciplinary collaboration and international exposure, making his work both innovative and highly impactful within and beyond China.
Award and Honor🏆
Dr. Lu Wang has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his innovation and impact in nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals. In 2024, he was honored with the Medical Innovation Translation Pioneer Award for his work on PET radiotracers targeting PDE10A. He is a recipient of the Guangdong Provincial “Top Young Talent in Technological Innovation” award (2022), reflecting his leadership in early-stage clinical research and translational imaging. His contribution to neuroimaging earned him the Guangdong Science and Technology Progress Second Prize (2020). He has also received the Wiley China Excellent Author recognition and several academic society accolades, including the RPSC Young Investigator Award from SNMMI in the U.S. Beyond individual achievements, Dr. Wang has co-authored expert consensus documents that have shaped nuclear pharmacy policy in China. These honors not only highlight his scientific excellence but also demonstrate his influence in shaping the clinical and academic frameworks of molecular imaging in the region.
Research Skill🔬
Dr. Lu Wang possesses a comprehensive skill set in radiochemistry, molecular imaging, and translational medicine. He is highly proficient in synthesizing radiolabeled probes using isotopes like ¹⁸F and ¹¹C, developing novel PET tracers for neuro and oncological targets. His skills include organic synthesis, autoradiography, biodistribution studies, pharmacokinetic modeling, and small-animal PET imaging. He has advanced capabilities in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-level tracer production, as well as preclinical-to-clinical translation of imaging agents. Dr. Wang is also skilled in interdisciplinary project management, integrating chemistry, biology, and clinical research to accelerate drug development pipelines. He has experience in writing expert consensus documents and regulatory frameworks, which demonstrates strong scientific communication and leadership abilities. Furthermore, his international training in Japan and the U.S. has refined his research rigor and collaborative approach. His unique blend of technical, translational, and regulatory skills positions him as a leader in the field of radiopharmaceutical sciences.
Conclusion💡
Dr. Lu Wang is exceptionally well-qualified for the Best Researcher Award. His research addresses pressing healthcare challenges through the development of innovative nuclear medicine technologies, with clear evidence of translational impact, policy influence, and academic leadership at both national and international levels. His work in radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging not only advances the frontiers of medical diagnostics but also contributes significantly to the precision medicine landscape in China and beyond.
Publications Top Noted✍
-
Title: Brain development during the lifespan of cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Tan, Z.; Nie, B.; Wu, H.; Li, B.; Shang, J.; Zhang, T.; Xiao, Z.; Dong, C.; Zeng, C.; Wu, B. et al.
Year: 2025
Citation: DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120952
-
Title: CuII-bis(thioureido) Complex: A Potential Radiotracer for Detecting Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Weiyuan Lin; Chongyi Huang; Zhiqiang Tan; Hao Xu; Weijun Wei; Lu Wang
Year: 2025
Citation: DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2025.03.008
-
Title: Discovery and evaluation of a novel 18F-labeled vasopressin 1a receptor PET ligand with peripheral binding specificity
Authors: Hu, J.; Li, Y.; Dong, C.; Wei, H.; Liao, K.; Wei, J.; Zhao, C.; Chaudhary, A.; Chen, J.; Xu, H. et al.
Year: 2024
Citation: DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.05.033
-
Title: Discovery of a highly specific radiolabeled antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen: Applications in PET imaging of multiple myeloma
Authors: Ma, J.; Zhang, S.; Yang, N.; Shang, J.; Gao, X.; Chen, J.; Wei, H.; Li, Y.; Zeng, H.; Xu, H. et al.
Year: 2024
Citation: DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06907-3
-
Title: Glucose uptake capacity of leukaemia cells in vitro correlates with response to induction therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Deng, S.; Du, J.; Huang, K.; Gale, R.P.; Pan, D.; Wang, L.; Wei, J.; Zheng, X.; Xu, Y.; Xie, S. et al.
Year: 2024
Citation: DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02469-3