Ruirui Zhang

Researcher in Chemical Biology at Max Planck Institute for Molecular Physiology

Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

About

A highly motivated and experienced researcher in the interdisciplinary field of Chemical Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences. My research focuses on systematically addressing critical challenges in the application of natural products, such as traditional Chinese medicine, for innovative drug development, tackling key issues including drug design, synthesis and optimisation, as well as elucidation of target and mechanism of action for new drug molecules. By leveraging interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in pharmacy, organic chemistry, and chemical biology, my research aims to transform traditional empirical approaches in medical practices into modern medicine with molecular mechanisms, to serve as a scientific foundation for modern drug discovery.

Experience

  • Scientific Researcher at Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology
    Jun 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 1 mo

  • Instructor at National University of Singapore
    Jan 2021 - May 2022 · 1 yr 5 mos

  • University of Oxford (Oxford, England, United Kingdom)
    • Teaching Assistant
      Oct 2018 - Jan 2021 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Worked as a laboratory demonstrator in the chemistry teaching laboratory Taught organic synthetic skills to undergraduates and ensured safe working in the laboratory

    • Researcher PHD Student
      Sep 2017 - Jan 2021 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      PhD thesis: “Natural product inspired synthesis of cysteine-derived tetramates for antibacterial activity” (Under the supervision of Professor Mark G. Moloney)

  • Visiting Student at Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research
    Dec 2019 - Jan 2020 · 2 mos

    Facilitated project collaboration as a visiting student

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant at National University of Singapore
    Sep 2016 - May 2017 · 9 mos

    Honour thesis: “The synthesis and characterisation of artemisinin conjugates: an approach to overcoming artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum ” (Under the supervision of Professor Chai Li Lin, Christina)