Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
Dr. Lichun Zhao, a distinguished researcher from Changchun, Jilin Province, China, is a leading figure in the field of trace elements and traditional Chinese medicine. He holds a Ph.D. and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Hong Kong Baptist University. Serving as a doctoral supervisor, he is the Director of the Research Department and the Center for Trace Elements and Health Development at Guizhou University of Chinese Medicine. Dr. Zhao also plays an active role as the Executive Editor-in-Chief of Trace Elements and Health Research. He concurrently serves as Director of Guizhou Laboratory and Guangxi Key Laboratory for Endangered Medicinal Materials. Widely recognized for his pioneering work, Dr. Zhao was the first to propose the concept of “elemental traditional Chinese medicine” and identified rubidium as an essential trace element for human health. With extensive contributions to academia, innovation, and industry, he has become a highly regarded leader in Chinese medicine research.
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile
Education
Dr. Lichun Zhao academic journey is rooted in strong training in traditional Chinese medicine and biomedical sciences. He earned his Ph.D., equipping him with advanced expertise in trace elements, pharmacology, and integrative approaches to health. His education provided a multidisciplinary foundation bridging modern science with traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, he continues academic development as a postdoctoral fellow at Hong Kong Baptist University, where he engages in innovative projects focusing on medicinal resources, trace elements, and health. His doctoral and postdoctoral training has enabled him to refine research methodologies, design large-scale projects, and lead interdisciplinary studies. Through these experiences, Dr. Zhao cultivated a deep interest in the mechanisms of trace elements in health and disease, especially within the context of Chinese medicine. His educational path reflects a blend of traditional knowledge and modern scientific techniques, empowering him to contribute pioneering concepts such as “elemental traditional Chinese medicine.”
Experience
Dr. Lichun Zhao has extensive academic, administrative, and research experience. At Guizhou University of Chinese Medicine, he serves as a doctoral supervisor, Director of the Research Department, and head of the Center for Trace Elements and Health Development. Beyond these roles, he is Executive Editor-in-Chief of Trace Elements and Health Research, promoting global visibility for the field. He also leads as Director of both the Guizhou Laboratory and the Guangxi Key Laboratory for Endangered Medicinal Resources. Dr. Zhao has hosted over projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the National Natural Science Foundation. He actively contributes to national scientific advancement as a project evaluation expert for the China National Science and Technology Award and other national programs. His prolific research has yielded over publications, patents, and recognized innovations in Chinese medicine product development, establishing him as an influential academic leader.
Research Interest
Dr. Lichun Zhao research interests lie at the intersection of trace elements, traditional Chinese medicine, and human health. He pioneered the novel concept of “elemental traditional Chinese medicine,” which integrates trace element science with TCM theory, offering new insights into disease prevention and therapy. A key focus of his research is on rubidium, which he identified as a crucial trace element for the human body. His work emphasizes the role of trace elements in health development, aging, chronic disease management, and drug innovation. Additionally, he explores endangered medicinal resources, working to preserve and utilize them through advanced biotechnological and pharmacological methods. His interests extend to innovative Chinese medicine product development, with contributions leading to certified products and clinical approvals. He also integrates big data and artificial intelligence into health research, promoting modernization and global recognition of Chinese medicine. His research ultimately bridges tradition with cutting-edge science.
Award and Honor
Dr. Lichun Zhao has received numerous awards and honors recognizing his outstanding contributions to science and medicine. He was the first recipient of the National Youth Qihuang Scholar title and was honored as a National Youth Post Expert. Selected for Hong Kong’s “Excellent Talent Plan,” he was also recognized as an Outstanding Scholar in Guangxi and a leader in innovation teams in higher education. His distinction extends further as an Academic and Technological Leader in Guangxi New Century and as a candidate in the “Ten Hundred Thousand Talents Project.” Dr. Zhao has been honored with prestigious scientific awards, including the second prize of the Guangxi Science and Technology Progress Award, the second prize of the Jilin Province Natural Science Award, and the China Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Award. His recognition reflects both his pioneering scientific achievements and his dedication to advancing the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with modern science.
Research Skill
Dr. Lichun Zhao possesses a wide range of research skills that reflect his expertise in both basic and applied sciences. He is adept in experimental pharmacology, trace element detection, and biochemistry techniques, enabling him to explore the role of elements in human health. His skills extend to the development of innovative Chinese medicine products, from preclinical research to clinical approval, as demonstrated by his leadership in achieving Hong Kong STC-certified products and a innovative Chinese medicine approval. Additionally, Dr. Zhao is highly skilled in project design and management, having led over major international cooperation and national projects. His expertise in intellectual property development is evident in his patents and software copyrights. He also integrates data science and artificial intelligence into health research, reflecting advanced skills in interdisciplinary innovation. Overall, his research skills bridge laboratory science, clinical application, and industry collaboration.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Bacteriostatic activity and mechanism of minerals containing rubidium
Journal: Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Year: 2025
Title: Traditional Chinese medicine in chronic rhinosinusitis: Mechanisms and postoperative recovery
Journal: Phytomedicine
Year: 2025
Citations: 3
Title: Rosmarinic acid promotes mitochondrial fission and induces ferroptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells
Journal: Naunyn Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology
Year: 2025
Citations: 13
Title: Interfacial Stabilization through MOF-Polymer Core-Shell Design: Ultraefficient, Stable and Recyclable Enzymatic Microreactors
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Year: 2025
Title: Rubidium salt can effectively relieve the symptoms of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis
Journal: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Year: 2024
Citations: 22
Conclusion
Dr. Lichun Zhao has emerged as a leading scholar in the field of trace elements, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and biomedical innovation, making significant contributions to the intersection of environmental health, molecular pharmacology, and clinical applications. His pioneering concept of “elemental traditional Chinese medicine” and recognition of rubidium as an essential trace element has opened new directions in both theoretical and applied research.