### Abstract: Tsinghua University Alumnus Zhang Liangfang Wins Allan P. Colburn Award from AIChE Tsinghua University’s Department of Chemical Engineering alumnus, Professor Zhang Liangfang from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Department of NanoEngineering, has been awarded the prestigious Allan P. Colburn Award by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). This annual award, established in 1945, recognizes outstanding contributions by researchers under the age of 36 in the field of chemical engineering. Zhang Liangfang received the award for his groundbreaking work in developing novel biomimetic nanomaterials that significantly enhance the treatment of diseases such as cancer and bacterial infections. #### Key Events and Contributions Zhang Liangfang and his research team at UCSD have pioneered a method to cloak artificial nanoparticles with natural cell membranes, effectively evading the body’s immune system and extending the nanoparticles' functionality. This innovation is particularly significant because it leverages the unique properties of red blood cell membranes, which are known for their superior delivery capabilities and prolonged circulation time. By mimicking these properties, the team has created nanoparticles that can serve as long-circulating drug delivery systems and as effective toxin adsorbers, acting like "nanosponges" to combat various bacterial infections. Recently, Zhang's team has expanded their research to include cancer cells. They have developed a personalized tumor vaccine by extracting and coating nanoparticles with the membranes of a patient's own cancer cells. This vaccine aims to activate the patient's immune system to target and eliminate metastasized cancer cells, offering a promising new approach in cancer therapy. #### Background and Academic Journey Zhang Liangfang began his academic journey at Tsinghua University in 1996, where he studied Polymer Science and Engineering. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2000 and master’s degree in 2002, both from Tsinghua University, under the guidance of Professor Yu Jian. In 2002, he moved to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, working under Professor Steve Granick. From 2006 to 2008, Zhang conducted postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the laboratory of Professor Robert Langer. In July 2008, he joined the UCSD Department of NanoEngineering as an assistant professor and was promoted to tenured associate professor in March 2012 and to tenured full professor in July 2014. #### Previous Honors Zhang Liangfang's contributions to the field have been widely recognized. In 2009, he received the Victor K. LaMer Award from the American Chemical Society, which honors outstanding doctoral research in colloid and surface chemistry. In 2013, he was named one of the world's top young innovators by the prestigious journal *MIT Technology Review*. #### Impact and Future Prospects Zhang Liangfang's research has opened new avenues in the development of biomimetic nanomaterials, combining the strengths of synthetic nanoparticles with the biocompatibility and functional properties of natural cell membranes. These materials hold significant promise for medical applications, particularly in improving drug delivery and treating infectious diseases and cancer. The upcoming AIChE annual meeting in November in Atlanta, USA, will feature a formal award ceremony for Zhang, further highlighting his contributions to the field of chemical engineering. ### Summary Professor Zhang Liangfang, a young alumnus of Tsinghua University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, has been honored with the Allan P. Colburn Award by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. His award-winning research involves the innovative use of natural cell membranes to cloak synthetic nanoparticles, enabling them to avoid immune system detection and enhance their therapeutic capabilities. Specifically, his team has developed nanoparticles that can deliver drugs more effectively and act as "nanosponges" to adsorb toxins, combating bacterial infections. Additionally, they have created a personalized tumor vaccine by using cancer cell membranes, which activates the immune system to target cancer cells. Zhang's academic and professional journey, marked by numerous prestigious awards, exemplifies the potential of interdisciplinary research in advancing medical technologies and treatments.