Prof. Dr. Yufeng Chen | R&D of New Drugs | Best Researcher Award

Deputy Director at Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China

Prof. Yufeng Chen serves as the Deputy Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. With a career dedicated to neuropharmacology and nuclear imaging, Prof. Chen has developed a unique interdisciplinary expertise that bridges traditional pharmacological approaches with advanced medical imaging techniques. His work focuses on developing innovative drugs for the treatment of depression, memory disorders, and neuropathic pain, while also contributing to nuclear medicine through PET/MR imaging research. He is a recognized reviewer for several international journals, including Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, Pharmaceutical Biology, and Clinics. His scholarly output includes 15 SCI-indexed articles and 3 patents in pharmacology and nuclear imaging.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Prof. Chen completed his pharmacy education at the Second Military Medical University, earning both doctoral and post-doctoral credentials with a focus on metabolomics. This academic foundation equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of molecular biology, drug metabolism, and system-wide pharmacological effects. His doctoral research laid the groundwork for later investigations into plant-based therapeutics and neurochemical mechanisms. Throughout his education, Prof. Chen has demonstrated a consistent focus on developing practical solutions from fundamental scientific insights, especially in the realms of traditional medicine and neuropharmacology.

Experience

Prof. Chen has amassed years of research and clinical experience, blending pharmacological discovery with nuclear medicine applications. In his role as Deputy Director, he has spearheaded several clinical and laboratory initiatives that enhance diagnostic precision and therapeutic targeting using PET/MR technologies. Beyond his institutional responsibilities, he has collaborated extensively with interdisciplinary teams, contributing to both basic research and translational clinical projects. As an editorial reviewer and scientific advisor, he has engaged deeply with the academic community, ensuring research quality and guiding novel contributions in pharmacology.

Research Interest

Prof. Chen’s research primarily centers on the R&D of novel drugs targeting neurological and psychiatric conditions, especially those involving chronic and acute pain, memory dysfunction, and depression. In addition, he has made substantial contributions to the application of PET/MR imaging in localizing disease markers. His investigations into the Chinese traditional medicinal plant Paederia scandens revealed multiple compounds with potent antinociceptive effects, contributing to drug development from ethnopharmacological sources. His imaging research with 11C-Choline PET for localizing epileptogenic foci and the development of 18F-labeled AlF-FAPI PET tracers for assessing myocardial fibrosis are recognized as pioneering efforts.

Award

Prof. Chen is a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award due to his multidisciplinary innovation and impact. His work in elucidating mechanisms of action for traditional medicines and translating molecular discoveries into diagnostic imaging applications has garnered significant academic citations and institutional recognition. He has led or contributed to multiple grant-supported projects funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province and the Shenyang Municipal Natural Science Foundation. These efforts have reinforced his reputation as a research leader with both academic and practical influence.

Publication

Prof. Chen’s scientific contributions have been widely cited and respected in the academic community, with a total of 239 citations and an h-index of 9. Selected key publications include:

Chen Y, et al. (2025). “Simultaneous 18F-labeled AlF-FAPI PET/MR images…” Clinics (Sao Paulo), 80:100624 – cited by 12 articles.

Chen YF, et al. (2024). “Antinociceptive iridoid glycosides…” J Asian Nat Prod Res, 26(7):788-794 – cited by 10 articles.

Tong YN, Guo J, Chen YF, et al. (2022). “Antimicrobial limonoids…” J Asian Nat Prod Res, 24(3):238-244 – cited by 8 articles.

Chen YF, et al. (2020). “A new role of 11C-Choline PET…” CNS Neurosci Ther, 26(1):144-147 – cited by 20 articles.

Shi GB, et al., Chen YF* (2015). “Antinociceptive activity of astragaloside IV…” Behav Pharmacol, 26(5):436-46 – cited by 18 articles.

Shi GB, et al., Chen YF* (2014). “Evaluation of wound-healing…” Pak J Pharm Sci, 27(1):91-5 – cited by 16 articles.

Chen YF, et al. (2014). “Mechanism involved in antinociceptive activity…” CNS Neurosci Ther, 20(2):188-90 – cited by 14 articles.
These articles reflect the breadth of Prof. Chen’s research, ranging from phytochemical analyses to the application of nuclear imaging in clinical neurology.

Conclusion

Prof. Yufeng Chen is a distinguished researcher whose interdisciplinary contributions have bridged neuropharmacology and nuclear medicine. His work not only deepens scientific understanding of traditional therapeutic compounds but also enhances modern diagnostic methods through PET/MR innovations. With impactful publications, ongoing research projects, patents, and clinical translation of discoveries, Prof. Chen exemplifies excellence in research and innovation. His leadership in both academic and clinical settings, combined with his pioneering investigations, make him a deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.