Prof. Kefeng Qin is a distinguished scientist with over 30 years of research experience in viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases across China, Canada, and the United States. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Fourth Military Medical University (Air Force Medical University), China, specializing in viruses and immunity. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, USA, before holding research positions at the University of Toronto, Northwestern University, University of Maryland, and the University of Chicago.

Currently, he serves as the Chief Scientist at Huzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Huzhou Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and is a specially appointed expert of Zhejiang Province, China. His expertise includes pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and COVID-19 at the molecular level.

Significant Achievements

• Pioneering Research in Infectious & Neurodegenerative Diseases:
  • Developed the theory of specific cell-penetrating, leading to the invention of a novel antiviral drug, which received a China National Invention Patent (ZL 2016 1 0406259.5).
  • Identified how copper ions alter prion protein conformation, contributing to prion disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
  • Discovered the PRNP G131R mutation, linking it to familial prion disease.
  • Created a mouse model of human chronic wasting disease (CWD), proving its potential to cross the species barrier.
  • Found that prion enhances Alzheimer’s disease pathology by promoting Aβ peptide secretion.
  • Identified Doppel (Dpl), a prion-like protein, which may cause neuronal cytotoxicity and male infertility.
• International Recognition & Research Leadership:
  • Principal Investigator of grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Canadian, and American research foundations.
  • Published over 100 scientific papers, including in high-impact journals such as Nature.
  • Guest Editor-in-Chief for "Current Progress in Prion Research" (Microbiology Research, ELSEVIER).
• Innovation & Patents:
  • China National Invention Patent: Vector capable of carrying functional molecules into HSV-infectable cells and related medicine.
  • USA Invention Patent Application (18/628,801, 2024): HSV/HIV glycoprotein sequences as carriers to transport functional peptides into virus-infectable cells.

Notable Contributions

• Scientific Research & Innovation:
  • Spearheaded research on infectious diseases, molecular virology, and neurodegeneration across multiple prestigious institutions.
  • Developed innovative approaches for antiviral therapies and prion disease pathology.
• Academic & Research Leadership:
  • Held faculty and research positions at top global institutions, including the University of Chicago, University of Maryland, and University of Toronto.
  • Actively mentors young scientists and researchers in infectious disease pathology and molecular genetics.

Eligibility for Outstanding Scientist Award

Prof. Kefeng Qin’s groundbreaking contributions to infectious disease research, neurodegeneration studies, and antiviral drug development make him a deserving recipient of the Outstanding Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels. His pioneering discoveries in prion diseases, viral pathogenesis, and molecular therapies have significantly advanced medical science on a global scale.