Xiao-an Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto Scarborough. His research interests focus on the development and generation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) which are essential in enhancing sensitivity and specificity for medical imaging. His work addresses significant limitations of MRI, including low sensitivity and molecular specificity, which hinder its application in clinical diagnosis and fundamental research. Through the generation of improved MRI CAs, he aims to enhance the capability of functional molecular imaging for detecting cancer, monitoring gene expression, and imaging brain structure and activity in vivo. Currently, he is concentrating on directions such as Multifunctional High Relaxivity T1 MRI CAs, Enzyme Activable MRI Reporters, and New Chemical Probes for Hyperpolarized MRI/MRS.