Dr. Cheng Cao

Biography

Cheng Cao is a researcher whose expertise lies in nanotechnology and small-angle scattering techniques, illuminating the intricate world of nanostructures. Cheng commenced his academic journey at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and later contributed to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Upon successful completion of his doctoral studies, he embarked on a postdoctoral position at the University of Oslo in Norway from 2020 to 2021. Cheng’s research endeavors include utilizing Norwegian Resource Centre X-rays and the prestigious European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) to explore nanoscale materials. Currently, he is a postdoctoral research associate in Stenzel's group at UNSW Sydney, focusing on making invisible nanostructures visible for the advancement of nanomedicine. His specialization includes the design of smart drug delivery nanoparticles and unraveling the internal structures of these tiny marvels. Cheng's groundbreaking work has the potential to revolutionize drug-loaded nanoparticles, enhancing precision and efficacy. He has served as a chief investigator on projects, including a NSW Health grant in 2023 aimed at enhancing biocompatibility in cardiovascular devices. Over the past five years, his leadership as a chief investigator and co-proposer for small angle scattering projects has resulted in 11 awarded Australian Synchrotron proposals with a total grant value of AUD 360,000, furthering the understanding of the critical relationship between nanoparticle structures and their functions. Cheng has published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers in esteemed journals such as Angewandte Chemie, Chemistry of Materials, Nature Communications, and the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). He also actively contributes to the academic community as a guest editor for the journal "Pharmaceutics," hosting a special issue on "Protein-Based Nanoparticles: Promising Platforms for Drug Delivery."

Research Interests