Dr Huijun Zhu
Senior Toxicologist
Location: Cranfield Health, Vincent Building, Cranfield Campus
E: h.zhu@cranfield.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1234 758312
Current activities
Within the Institute of Environment and Health, Dr Zhu has a lead role in various academic activities such as research on the mechanisms of chemical and engineered nanoparticle toxicity, toxicity evaluation of novel drug delivery system, and validation of in vitro model for identification of hazardous environment agents. Current projects include:
- NANODRUG funded by the European Commission - Marie Curie Actions ITN FP7 PEOPLE 2011-2015
- NEPHH (nanomaterials related environment pollution and health hazards through their lefe cycle) funded by the European Commission- Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials & new production technologies (NMP) 2009-2012
- Toxicological evaluation of a range of HTIW fibres funded by the ECFIA (2011-2012)
Her involvement in other activities includes consultancy services on nanotoxicology and teaching on professional training and MSc courses on topics including:
- Introduction of Environmental and Occupational Toxicology
- Principles of Toxicology
- Mechanisms of toxicology
- Introduction to Nanotoxicology
- Critical review of chemical toxicology
- Preparation of chemical toxicology summary
- Cell biology of nanoparticles in medicine
- Drug delicvery via different routes
- Nanoparticles in stem cells
- Environment Toxicology
- In vitro Toxicology
Research interests
- Nanotoxicology
- Health hazard and risk posed by environmental pollutants
- In vitro toxicology
- Toxicity biomarkers
Available student projects
1. Toxicological evaluation of novel drug delivery systems in vitro
2. Assessment of biology and toxicity of nanomaterials for applications in food
Award type: Master by research and PhD
Clients
- European Commission
- Food Standards Agency (FSA)
- Defra
- Health Protection Agency
Background
Dr Zhu holds a PhD in Biochemical Toxicology and has published numerous high quality papers in peer reviewed journals in the area of toxicology. Dr Zhu has an extensive research background in in vitro biochemical toxicology, specialising in toxicity of environment chemicals and engineered nanoparticles in mammalian cells. She has recently led on or been involved in the following projects:
- 2005-2010: Risk assessment of chemicals and mixtures in food - Sponsored by Food Standards Agency
- 2008-2009: Assessment of pesticide metabolites, degradation and reaction products to inform the inspectorate's position on monitoring requirements-Sponsored by Defra
- 2006-2009: UK Co-ordinate Chemicals (HPV) Management Programme - SIDS dossier and SIAP evaluation-Sponsored by Defra
- 2003-2005: Signal transduction pathways involved in cell cycle regulation evoked by DNA damaging toxins-Sponsored by the Food Standards Agency
Selected publications
1. Zhang J., Wan Y., Li Y., Zhang Q., Xu S., ZHU H., and Shu S (2011). A rapid and high-throughput quantum dots bioassay for monitoring of perfluorooctane sulfonate in environmental water samples. Environmental Pollution, 159, 1348-1353.
2. Sachse S., Irfan A., ZHU H and Njuguna J. (2011). Morphology studies of nanodust generated from polyurethane/nanoclay nanofoams following mechanical fracture. Journal of Nanostructured Polymers and Nanocomposites. 7;5-9.
3. Irfan A., Sachse S., Njuguna J and ZHU H (2011) In vitro analysis of nanoparticles and nanodust released, from polymer/nanostructured-material composite, during drilling process (2011) Annual UK Review Meeting on Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution, 10-11 May 2011
4. Njuguna J., Sachs S., Silva F., Irfan A, Michałowski S., Pielichowski K., Kazmina O., Ermini V, Zhu H and Blázquez M (2011) Investigations into nanoparticles generated from nanofiller reinforced polymer nanocomposites during structural testing. Safety issues of nanomaterials along their life cycle at LEITAT Technological Center, Barcelona (Spain). 4-5 May 2011, invited paper, Conference proceedings, pg 53-54.
5. Levy L and ZHU H (2010). The Health Effects of Exposure to Carbon Black and Recent Regulatory Evaluations. Invited paper, Conference proceedings, Carbon Black China, Chongqing, China, 18-22 April 2010.
6. Irfan A., Njuguna J., Kayvantash K and Zhu H (2010). In vitro hazard identification and characterization of manufactured nanoparticles through products life cycle. Conference proceedings, Annual UK Review Meeting on Outdoor & Indoor Air Pollution Research, 13-14 April 2010.
7. Njuguna J., Peña I., ZHU H., Rocks SA and Blázquez M (2010). Opportunities and environment health challenges facing integration of polymer nanocomposites technologies for automotive applications. International journal of polymers and technologies. May-December Issue, p117-128
8. Njuguna J., Peña I., ZHU H., Rocks SA and Blázquez M (2008) Invited paper: Integration of polymer nanocomposites technologies for Automotive Applications: Opportunities and Environmental Health Challenges. 3rd International Seminar on Modern Polymeric Materials for Environmental Applications, Krakow, Poland.
9. Irfan A., Njuguna J., Kayvantash K and ZHU H (2010). In vitro hazard identification and characterization of manufactured nanoparticles throughout products life cycle. Conference proceedings, Annual UK Review Meeting on Outdoor & Indoor Air Pollution Research, 13-14 April 2010.
10. Ansah C; Zhu H; Gooderham NJ. (2008). The mechanism of cryptolepine-induced cell death. J Pharmacol & Toxicol., Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology. 3:291-301.
