Dr. Tony Hu is the Zhao-Yi endowed professor and founding dean of the School of Biomedical Engineering at Tsinghua University. Previously, he held prestigious positions at Tulane University, including Professor in multiple departments and the Weatherhead Presidential Chair, where he also founded the Center for Intelligent Molecular Diagnostics.

His research is distinguished by its innovative integration of engineered multi-omics, nanomedicine, and machine learning to develop advanced biosensors and discover mechanism-driven biomarkers. A key differentiator of his work is the use of nanomaterial properties to significantly enhance the performance and reproducibility of clinical assays for infectious and malignant diseases. His long-term goal is to redefine diagnostic criteria using molecular tests to accurately differentiate disease stages.

Dr. Hu's impactful research has led to over 170 high-impact publications and 25 patent applications in nanomedicine, with 14 patents licensed by companies internationally. His lab has been consistently funded by major organizations, including the NIH, DOD, and the Gates Foundation. As an educator, he has trained 82 individuals from 21 countries, many of whom now hold faculty positions. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), EurASc, AIMBE, and IAMBE, and is a co-founder of four biotechnology startups.