To date, Shawn has produced over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications and been cited more than 150,000 times. His current h-index according to Google Scholar is 205. Trained in chemistry during his undergraduate, PhD and first post-doctoral studies, his research interests today span molecular imaging, nanomedicine, drug and gene delivery, theranostics and radiopharmaceuticals, covering both basic medical research and clinical translation.

Q: H-index of 205. What is the journey like getting to this point? Can you still remember when and where your first paper was published? Over 1,000 papers later, do you still get the same “high”?
A: It is certainly an achievement—but it is not the main reason I do what I do. I’m addicted to research. The Eureka moments and the joy of discovering new things are irresistible. It all started in 1992 during my undergraduate days when I had my first applied chemistry paper published in a Chinese journal. I went on to publish more papers as a Master’s and PhD candidate.

Particularly memorable was my first paper in the Journal of Chemical Society Dalton Transactions (now renamed Dalton Transactions). I remember using a typewriter to type out the paper and hand-drawing the figures within. It’s hard work, but it’s also very rewarding to see how everything turned out in print.

Today, I still enjoy the process—although there is an added dimension to it. As a researcher educator, I have a responsibility to ensure that my students and research fellows achieve visibility in quality publications and maintain strong productivity so that they are ready to contribute meaningfully to the field.

Q: What is the size of your lab now? How did it grow to this size? Was the growth by design or organic?
A: Our lab has more than 50 people and our research spans various aspects of nanomedicine, including Nano-Bio Interfaces, Nano-diagnostics, Nano-imaging, Nano-therapeutics and Nano-immunomodulation.

But we had a rough start. We set up the lab during the pandemic, which made recruiting anyone, including research assistants, challenging. As a new lab with no track record, potential hires were suspicious of the kind of support and supervision they’ll get. Add to that, we had to work within the hiring quota, and navigate stringent pandemic measures. It took multiple advertisements, rounds of vetting, and most importantly, resolve and resilience to get to where we are today.

We have a different problem now. We are too big. It takes a robust structure, a positive culture and strong discipline to ensure that my students and mentees receive enough quality supervision and interactions. We ensure that every graduate student has at least one immediate postdoc or fellow supervisor. In addition, we organise them into groups with group leaders where they meet weekly or biweekly. In that way, even if I do not always have face-to-face time with them, I am kept informed about their progress. Where necessary, I will intervene.

Q: A researcher, an entrepreneur, an editor, a mentor, a scientist. If there is a role you can drop, which is it and why? Which is the one that you will never drop unless there’s no choice, and why?
A: This is a tough question because these roles may seem separate, but in reality, they all blend together as part of my overall commitment to scientific exploration. Even though they look distinct, they are deeply interconnected.

First and foremost, I am a researcher, and within the medical field, I am a scientist. My goal is to create a lasting impact for my research, which is why I also embrace the role of being a mentor, guiding the next generation of researchers. As an editor, I aim to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the field, while as an entrepreneur, I strive to make basic research meaningful and applicable to the world.

If I had to drop one, it would likely be “scientist”, as it is more of a title, a recognition of achievements within a particular field. Ultimately, its essence is still that of a researcher. I would continue to be a researcher, focusing on my tenure project. The role I would never drop, unless absolutely necessary, is that of a researcher, because it is at the core of everything I do.

Q: What has science taught you, about yourself, and about the world?
A: Science has taught me that the world is an intricate and ever-evolving system, full of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. It has shown me the beauty of interconnectedness, where small discoveries can ripple into transformative changes.

On a personal level, science has shown me how much I love the excitement of exploring the unknown. It keeps me going, even when things get tough or uncertain. It has taught me to stay curious, keep pushing, and not be afraid of challenges. At the same time, I’ve learnt the importance of staying open-minded. Collaboration and fresh perspectives often lead to unexpected breakthroughs. But balance is key: being open while staying true to your core mission ensures deep focus and meaningful progress. It’s this blend of curiosity, persistence, and balance that drives deep discovery.

^* Series B financing is the second round of funding for a business through investment, including private equity investors and venture capitalists. The Series B round generally takes place when the company has accomplished certain milestones in developing its business and is past the initial startup stage.