Dr. Min-Hua Chen is an accomplished academic and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU). In addition to his professorship, he holds the position of Division Chief of Extracurricular Activities at CYCU and is an Adjunct Assistant Fellow of Engineering and Nanomedicine at the National Health Research Institutes. Dr. Chen’s educational background is rooted in Material Science and Engineering, having earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Taipei Tech. He furthered his studies at National Taiwan University, where he completed his Ph.D. in 2015.

His research has crossed international borders, collaborating with esteemed institutions such as the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan. His contributions were recognized with the award of a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowship, which he held at NIMS from 2016 to 2017. Currently, Dr. Chen’s research interests span several fields. He is exploring the development of microneedles for transdermal delivery, theranostic nanoparticles, radiosensitizer nanomedicine for cancer treatment, and bioceramics for dental applications. His work continues to push the boundaries of biomedical engineering.

The Small and Controlled Release Lab, established in 2016, is a pioneer in the fields of biomaterials, controlled release, and radiobiology. Its initial work revolved around the creation of radiosensitizers nanoparticles and microneedles for skin cancer treatment. Over time, the lab’s focus has broadened to include the controlled release of various radiosensitizers, such as Hafnium-doped ceramic nanoparticles and imiquimod, which are combined with radiation for microneedle transdermal delivery to treat skin cancer. The lab also ventures into the development of dental materials using the electrospinning method for dental tissue engineering applications.

    Currently, the lab is exploring the potential of theranostic nanoparticles as photothermal and radiosensitizer agents for cancer treatment. The lab synthesizes and characterizes theranostic nanoparticles of varying doping concentrations and sizes, and assesses their biocompatibility in vitro. The lab also investigates their photothermal and radiosensitizing effects both in vitro and in vivo, using a xenograft mouse model. The lab evaluates the therapeutic efficacy and safety of theranostic nanoparticles when combined with photothermal therapy and radiotherapy, and monitors the biodistribution of particles through NIR-II window fluorescent emission. The lab also employs microneedles with theranostic nanoparticles for localized delivery, photothermal therapy, and radiotherapy in an orthotopic mouse model.

    The lab collaborates with the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH), and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST). This collaboration provides students with comprehensive knowledge of translational research. Dr. Jen-Kun Chen from the NHRI, an expert in radioactive nanoparticles, supports the project in translational radiation research. Dr. Hsiang-Kuang Liang, a radiation oncologist at NTUH, provides ideas and consultation for developing combined therapy for cancer treatment. The Lab. also collaborates with Dr. Lokesh Agrawal from OIST, who assists in studying neurotoxicity.