Assoc. Prof. at Guangzhou National Laboratory, China.
Dr. Huanling Lai 🇨🇳 is an accomplished Associate Professor at Guangzhou Laboratories specializing in pharmacology, traditional Chinese medicine, and neuroscience. Her research bridges ancient medicinal wisdom with modern molecular approaches, focusing on lung cancer therapeutics, brain neural discharge mechanisms, and multi-omics-based pharmacological exploration 🔬🧠🌿. With over 25 high-impact journal publications, multiple patents 🧾, and leadership in nationally funded research projects, she exemplifies innovation and academic rigor. A key member and editor in numerous scientific journals and organizations 🌐📚, she contributes actively to the global pharmacology and neurology research community. Her translational research has led to the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutic pathways. Dr. Lai continues to inspire with her dedication to scientific advancement and medical integration, making her a strong candidate for international recognition in research excellence 🏆🔎.
Professional Profile:
Scopus
🏆Suitability for Best Researcher Award – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huanling Lai
Dr. Huanling Lai exemplifies the ideal candidate for a Best Researcher Award through her integrative and translational research that merges traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with cutting-edge molecular pharmacology and neuroscience. She has demonstrated outstanding scientific leadership, innovation, and societal impact in the areas of lung cancer treatment, epilepsy neuropharmacology, and multi-omics drug mechanism elucidation. Her ability to bridge ancient medicinal wisdom with modern biomedical science not only enhances global pharmacological understanding but also contributes directly to developing novel therapeutics and diagnostic technologies.
🎓 Education
Dr. Lai began her academic journey in Chinese Medicine at Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (2006–2010) 🏫📜, earning a Bachelor of Science. She then pursued a Ph.D. in Pharmacology of Chinese Medicines at Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2010–2015) 🎓🧪. Her doctoral studies integrated biomedical research techniques with the philosophy of traditional Chinese therapeutics, laying the groundwork for her multidisciplinary expertise in pharmacological mechanisms and disease treatment. Her education reflects a fusion of traditional practices with cutting-edge scientific inquiry 🌿🧬.
🧪 Professional Experience
Dr. Lai’s research career spans prestigious institutions and collaborative platforms 🧑🔬🏢. Since 2021, she serves as Associate Professor at Guangzhou Laboratories in the Basic Research Department 🏥. She briefly held the same role at BioIsland Laboratories (2020–2021), where she focused on neurometabolism. From 2017 to 2020, she undertook rigorous postdoctoral training under renowned mentors including Academician Liang Liu and Prof. Elaine Lai-Han Leung at the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines (Macao University of Science and Technology) 🌍. Her experience has equipped her with expertise in multi-omics, neuroscience, molecular pharmacology, and oncology, with a strong record of collaborative research and translational innovation 🧠🔬📈.
📈 Professional Development
Dr. Lai is deeply involved in academic service, collaboration, and innovation. She holds editorial roles as Guest Editor for Frontiers in Nutrition and Pharmacology 📝. She serves on reviewer panels for several prestigious journals including Current Neuropharmacology, Annals of Medicine, BMC Pharmacology, and Frontiers in Oncology 🔍📚. She is also a Director at the Guangdong Anti-Epilepsy Association, and an active member of organizations like the World Federation of Chinese Medicine and Chinese Anti-Epilepsy Association 🌐. Her involvement in multidisciplinary societies strengthens academic networking and professional knowledge sharing. These roles reflect her commitment to scientific dissemination, peer review, and professional ethics, while enhancing her leadership within both the pharmacological and neurological communities 🌟🤝.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Lai’s research primarily focuses on Translational Pharmacology bridging Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) 🌿 and modern molecular biology 🔬. Her work encompasses three core areas: (1) elucidating the molecular mechanisms of TCM formulations, (2) investigating small molecule drug action against lung cancer, and (3) decoding the neural discharge mechanisms in epilepsy using multi-omics approaches 🧠💊. She integrates phytomedicine, oncology, and neuroscience to develop innovative therapies, particularly those enhancing immunotherapy efficacy and modulating ion transport mechanisms in brain disorders. Her research is at the interface of natural product pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and precision oncology, reflecting strong interdisciplinary depth and clinical relevance 🧫🧘♀️⚕️.
🧠Research Skills
Dr. Lai possesses a robust skill set in molecular pharmacology, multi-omics analysis, and neurophysiological diagnostics 🔍🧬. She is skilled in drug mechanism modeling, pharmacodynamic assays, and bioinformatics to explore disease mechanisms at both cellular and systems levels. Her expertise in using TRPV1/TRPV2 ion channel models, phosphoproteomics, and EEG signal processing demonstrates her technical versatility in bridging lab science with clinical applications 🧠📊. Additionally, she has developed AI-assisted methods for automatic detection of high-frequency oscillations in EEG, patenting multiple innovations in this space 🖥️🧠. Her strengths include experimental pharmacology, natural compound screening, cancer pathway signaling, and gut-brain axis investigations, reflecting a comprehensive toolkit to tackle complex biomedical challenges 🧪🔬💡.
🏅Awards and Honors
Dr. Lai has been recognized through multiple national and provincial-level research grants, including from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Guangdong Provincial Foundation, and Guangzhou Science & Technology Bureau 🏆💰. Her role as Principal Investigator in high-impact projects on lung cancer immunotherapy and epilepsy neuropharmacology highlights her leadership and innovation. She holds five authorized patents, including devices for EEG analysis and traditional medicine formulations, demonstrating both academic and translational impact 🧠📄. As a Director of the Guangdong Anti-Epilepsy Association and an editor/reviewer for top-tier journals, she is also recognized as a leader in professional service. These accolades reflect her reputation for excellence in research, clinical relevance, and scientific integrity 🌟📜.
Publication Top Notes
1. Title: Berbamine as potential STING inhibitor for KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer
Title: Berbamine as potential STING inhibitor for KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer
Journal: Pharmacological Research, 2025
Summary:
This study examines the therapeutic potential of berbamine, a natural compound, in KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The researchers demonstrated that berbamine effectively inhibits the STING signaling pathway, which is often associated with tumor-promoting inflammation in KRAS-mutated cancers. Suppression of STING activity by berbamine led to reduced cancer cell viability and tumor growth. The results highlight berbamine as a promising STING-targeted therapy for a difficult-to-treat subtype of NSCLC.
2. Title: Tanshinone IIA induces ER stress and JNK activation to inhibit tumor growth and enhance anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Title: Tanshinone IIA induces ER stress and JNK activation to inhibit tumor growth and enhance anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
Journal: Phytomedicine, 2024
Citation Count: 12
Summary:
This paper explores the antitumor properties of Tanshinone IIA, a compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine. The researchers found that it induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activates the JNK pathway, leading to cancer cell death and inhibition of tumor growth in NSCLC models. Furthermore, Tanshinone IIA enhanced the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, suggesting its potential as a combination agent to improve immune-based treatment responses in NSCLC patients.
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Huanling Lai stands out as a pioneering pharmacologist with exceptional interdisciplinary reach, innovation capacity, and societal relevance. Her career reflects a seamless integration of research excellence, technical sophistication, and translational impact. These qualities make her not only eligible but highly deserving of a Best Researcher Award at the national or international level.