Prof. Chang-Ming Dong was born in Henan province of P. R. China in 1972. He received his Ph.D. degree in Polymer Chemistry & Physics under the supervision of prof. Xin-De Feng and prof. Kun-Yuan Qiu from Peking University in 2001. After about two-year postdoctoral research with prof. Elliot L. Chaikof in school of medicine of Emory University (now working at Harvard University), he joined the faculty of Department of Polymer Science & Engineering in Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU, Shanghai, P. R. China) in January, 2004. He was promoted to full professor in January, 2009, and currently focuses on the design and synthesis of biodegradable and biomimetic polymeric biomaterials (such as PLA, PCL, PLGA, polypeptide, and glycopolymer) and their applications in drug delivery and nanomedicine. He published near 60 peer-reviewed papers with a total citation of over 800 and an H-index of 22. He received the support of “Project of New Century Talents” from the Education of Ministry of China and the SMC young faculty award from SJTU.
What was your inspiration in becoming a chemist?
The curiosity for exploring new natural phenomena, solving the basic problems that the human being faces, and also including the dream to become a scientist drive me to work hard for natural sciences including chemistry, especially polymer chemistry.
What was the motivation to write your Polymer Chemistry article? (DOI: 10.1039/C3PY21121E)
Since 2004, I focused on the design and synthesis of biodegradable and biomimetic polymeric biomaterials and their applications in stimuli-sensitive drug delivery and nanomedicine. Especially, we recently paid more attention to the near infrared (NIR) light-responsive biodegradable polymers and the related nanomedicines, which hold great potentials in on-demand (in a continuous or pulsatile mode) and spatiotemporal (when and where) drug delivery and clinical medicine. These results drive me to write a review paper in Polymer Chemistry.
Why did you choose Polymer Chemistry to publish your work?
RSC is one of the leading societies for chemistry in the world. Polymer Chemistry is an emerging high-quality journal in Polymer Science and has a wide readership in the world. In addition, it has a quick submission and review system. So I am pleasant to report our future fundamental works in this journal.
In which upcoming conferences may our readers meet you?
I like to participate in some major and specialized meetings, e.g., the polymer science meeting of China or some meetings on the controlled drug release.
How do you spend your spare times?
Besides teaching and doing research in SJTU, I am willing to spend more time with my family (especially my little lovely daughter). Watching International or National News from TV and running every week are also my hobbies.
Which profession would you choose if you were not a scientist?
I would become a teacher in middle school or a farmer in my hometown if I were not a polymer chemist.
