Tony Hu
Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation
Director, Center for Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics
Center of Cellular and Molecular Diagnosis
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tulane University School of medicine
Biography
Dr. Tony Hu is a distinguished Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Microbiology at Tulane University. He holds the prestigious Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and is the founding Director of the Center for Intelligent Molecular Diagnostics at Tulane School of Medicine.
Dr. Hu's research is focused on engineered multi-omics, nanomedicine, mechanism-driven biomarker discovery, and assay development. His groundbreaking work employs the unique properties of nanomaterials to improve assay performance and reproducibility, thereby offering a novel approach to clinical microbiology and biomarker discovery. His goal is to develop a full spectrum of diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment evaluation assays, redefining diagnostic criteria for infectious and malignant diseases using molecular tests.
Dr. Hu's contributions to the field are widely recognized, and he was elected as a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) in March 2023. He has published over 150 high-impact papers and has filed 25 patent applications involving nanomedicine, 14 of which have been licensed by US-based or international companies.
Dr. Hu's research is supported by leading organizations such as the DOD, NIH, Gates Foundation, and WHO, among others. He has mentored 78 fellows and students from 21 countries, many of whom have gone on to establish independent faculty positions. In addition, Dr. Hu is a co-founder of two biotech startup companies, Intelligenome Inc. in San Jose, CA, and NanoPin Technologies in New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Hu's innovative and pioneering research has resulted in significant advancements in the field of biomarker discovery and nanomedicine. His contributions have not only advanced the scientific community's understanding of infectious and malignant diseases but have also led to the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapies that can benefit patients worldwide.