Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Meng Qin, Sichuan University, China

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Abstract

Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.

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Meng Qin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7226-668X) received her PhD from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS) in 2016 under the supervision of Prof. Yanlin Song. Afterwards, she worked as a research associate at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UCLA. She is currently an associate professor at the College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University. Her current research is focused on biomedical polymers.

Read Meng Qin’s Emerging Investigator Series article ‘A panther chameleon-inspired Vis-NIR light modulation hydrogel with enhanced photothermal effects and pH/temperature monitoring for bacterial infection theranostics’ (https://doi.org/10.1039/D5MH02167G) and read more about her in the interview below:

MH: Your recent Materials Horizons Communication presents a photonic crystal hydrogel for enhanced antibacterial photothermal therapy and colorimetric monitoring of pH and treatment temperature. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?

MQ: When I was a doctoral candidate, my research work was focused on photonic-crystal-based chemical sensors, leveraging the capabilities of regulating the propagation of light. Afterwards, I started to do some work on biomedical polymers, especially focused on the applications of bacterial sensing and killing. The unique properties of photonic crystals, for example, structural colors and slow-photon effects, can perfectly align with the goals of naked-eye bacterial sensing and enhanced phototherapy. In line with this idea, we designed the photonic crystal hydrogels, exploring the integrated stimuli-responsive properties and photothermal regulation capabilities. We hope this platform can serve as a powerful tool for bacterial infection theranostics. In the future, we will develop more biomedical materials and devices, taking full advantage of light–matter interactions.

MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?

MQ: The most exciting points of our work are rapid dual-stimuli sensing without cross-talk, and universal photothermal enhancement without limitation on the photothermal agent. These properties can benefit the point-of-care theranostics of bacterial infections.

MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?

MQ: Bacterial infection theranostics involves two aspects, i.e., diagnosis and treatment. Separately, the challenges of diagnosis or monitoring are high accuracy, high sensitivity, and rapid responsiveness, while the treatment requires high efficacy and bio-safety. In my opinion, an important question in this field is how to improve these properties and promote the integration.

MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?

MQ: In my opinion, how to transfer our laboratory investigation to industrial production is the most challenging and significant aspect.

MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?

MQ: I may attend the Eighth International Symposium Frontiers in Polymer Science, which will be held in Chengdu, June 11–14, 2026.

MH: How do you spend your spare time?

MQ: In my spare time, I like to accompany my family on some outdoor activities.

MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

MQ: I think for an early career scientist, it’s important for us to step out of our comfort zone and learn multidisciplinary knowledge. A breakthrough may be achieved as we deeply think about our research in other fields.

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