Emory Pharmacology alumnus, Dr.Lixin Zhang, PhD, receives WuXi AppTech 2017 Life Science and Chemistry Award
Congratulations to Dr. Lixin Zhang! Dr. Zhang carried out his postdoctoral research in the Department of Pharmacology, Emory University School of Medicine, from 1995 to 1999 in Dr. Haian Fu’s laboratory, and now he serves as professor and Executive Director of State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). He was presented the 2017 Life Science and Chemistry Award-Scholar Award at the prestigious National Guest House for his outstanding research accomplishments on Avermectin’s microbial-manufacturing. He is one of 16 researchers to receive the honor this year by the WuXi AppTec.
Efficient production of avermectins has been achieved through the 5M strategies: Mining, Modeling, Manipulation, Measurement and Manufacture. Avermectin now is exclusively made in China, targeting not only worms, but also microbial pathogens. It is recognized as a Nobel Prize in 2015, as well as the 2016 National Award for "Excellence to Improve Science and Technology” in China.
Originated in 2007, the WuXi AppTec Life Science and Chemistry Awards are the first nationwide scientific awards in China established by a life science enterprise. The Awards aim to stimulate early-stage innovation and to promote excellence in life science and clinical research. It is a highly competitive accolade bestowed to national leading experts to create strong innovation and research. Participants were carefully selected by an ad-hoc committee comprised of distinguished experts in life science. Since its inception, 185 scholars from more than 30 premier Chinese universities and research institutes have received WuXi AppTec Life Science and Chemistry Awards. National leaders Academicians Qide Han (a former Emory Pharmacology scholar), Zhizhen Wang and others presented the awards.