Annie Du

Biography

Education and Certifications

• PhD, Biochemistry, Nanjing University (China)
• BS, Chemistry, Hubei University (China)

About Me

My research focuses on nano-biotechnology, which simply means I design extremely tiny materials, so small that we cannot see them with our eyes, that are inspired by nature to help solve big problems in medicine and health care. For example, I work on the development of nanosensors that can quickly detect diseases by identifying specific biomarkers in blood or urine. I also study “bioinspired” nanomaterials that can deliver medicines directly to the right place in the body. These innovations can make diagnosis faster, treatment more effective, and health monitoring much easier.

I received my PhD from Nanjing University, China, where I conducted research on biosensors for the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia. After completing my PhD, I had postdoctoral training at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, focusing on developing new nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for biosensing, imaging, and drug delivery. In 2013, I joined Washington State University’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering in Pullman, where I broadened my research to include 3D printing, smartphone-based devices, microfluidics, and lab-on-a-chip platforms. These advances in engineering allowed my nanosensors and nanocarriers to become even smaller, smarter, and more affordable.

Today, I am a faculty member in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Washington State University in Spokane. My work directly connects with the mission of the pharmacy school: to improve human health through innovation in drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and health monitoring. Nanotechnology provides powerful tools for pharmacists and health care professionals by enabling earlier disease detection, more precise drug targeting, and more efficient ways to monitor treatment outcomes. I am excited that my research bridges engineering, chemistry, and pharmacy to create new technologies that can be translated into real-world health care solutions.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with scientists, engineers, and clinicians, and I greatly value the teamwork that comes from tackling complex health challenges together. My journey into pharmacy-related research began during graduate school, when I realized how transformative nanotechnology could be for medicine. Now, through my teaching and research, I hope to inspire future pharmacists and scientists while contributing to more effective and accessible health care for all.

In my spare time I like to…

Outside the lab and classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the outdoors. I also enjoy dancing and singing. In addition, I am actively involved in supporting children’s activities by volunteering with swimming clubs, soccer teams, and science clubs.

Why WSU?

I chose to work at Washington State University because of its strong commitment to research, teaching, and community impact. Here, I have the opportunity to contribute to the education of future scientists and health care professionals. I enjoy mentoring students and helping them see how their classroom learning can be applied to innovations in medicine and health care. WSU’s dedication to student success and hands-on learning aligns closely with my own values as an educator.

WSU’s land-grant mission and strong connection to the state of Washington are deeply meaningful to me. I am honored to be part of WSU that not only advances knowledge but also ensures that discoveries benefit people and communities.

My Favorite Quote

“No pain, no gain.”

“Practice makes perfect”

Honors & Awards

• Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science), 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020
• World Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University, 2020
• Specialty Chief Editor: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2024-, JIF 5.7, 2024)

Grants

CDC, R01 (09/01/2023 – 08/31/2027)
Multiplexed Sensors for Biomonitoring of Wood Smoke Exposure among Wildland Firefighters
Role: PI

DoD, CDMRP (06/01/2023 – 05/31/2027)
Optimization and Evaluation of Photo-Responsive Microneedle Arrays for Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery
Role: co-PI

CDC, R43 (09/30/2021- 03/31/2023)
Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Neutralizing Antibody Tests for Evaluating COVID Vaccine-Generated Immunity
Role: PI

NIH, R43 (12/01/2022-05/31/2024)
Multiplexed biosensor for personal wildfire exposure assessment
Role: PI

USDA (04/01/2018 – 03/31/2022)
Nanomaterials-Enhanced Multiplex Immunosensing Device for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Pesticide Residues
Role: PI

CDC, R21 (09/01/2015 – 08/31/2018)
Integrated Approach for Environmental Health Monitoring
Role: PI

Selected Publications

Chen, C.; Fu, Y.; Sparks, S.S.; Pradhan, A.; Boddeti, N.; Liu, Y.; Lin, Y.; Du, D.*; Qiu, K (2024). “3D-Printed Flexible Microfluidic Health Monitor for in Situ Sweat Analysis and Biomarker Detection”. ACS Sensors 9, 3212-3223.

Lyu, Z.; Ding, S.; Fang, L.; Li, X.; Li, T.; Xu, M.; Pan X.; Zhu, W.; Zhou, Y.; Du, D.*; Lin, Y. (2023). “Two-dimensional Fe-N-C single-atomic-site catalysts with boosted peroxidase-like activity for a sensitive immunoassay”. Analytical Chemistry 95 (9), 4521-4528.

Ruan, X.; Hulubei, V.; Shi, Q.; Cheng, N.; Davis, W.C.; Smith, J.N.; Lin, Y.; Du, D.* (2022). “Au@PtPd enhanced immunoassay with 3D printed smartphone device for quantification of diaminochlorotriazine (DACT), the major atrazine biomarker”. Biosensors and Bioelectronics 208, 114190.

Lyu, Z.; Ding, S.; Tieu. P. Fang, L, Li, T.; Engelhard, M.H.; Du, D.*; Li, S.; Lin, Y. (2022). “Single-atomic site catalyst enhanced lateral flow immunoassay for point-of-care detection of herbicide.” Research, Article ID: 9823290.

Ruan, X.; Wang, Y.; Kwon, E. Y.; Wang, L.; Cheng, N.; Niu, X.; Ding, S.; Van Wie, B.J.; Lin, Y.; Du, D.* (2021). “Nanomaterial-enhanced 3D-printed sensor platform for simultaneous detection of atrazine and acetochlor”. Biosensors & Bioelectronics 184, 113238.

Zhao, Y.; Ruan, X.; Smith, J.N.; Vasylieva, N.; Hammock, B.D.; Lin, Y.; Du, D.* (2021). “Smartphone-based dualchannel immunochromatographic test strip with polymer quantum dot labels for simultaneous detection of cypermethrin and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid.” Analytical Chemistry, 93, 13658-13666.

Lyu, Z.; Ding, S.; Zhang, N.; Zhou, Y.; Cheng, N.; Wang, M.; Xu, M.; Feng, Z.; Niu, X.; Cheng, Y.; Zhang, C.; Du, D.*; Lin, Y. (2020). “Single-atom nanozymes linked immunosorbent assay for sensitive detection of Aβ 1-40: A biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease”. Research, Article ID 4724505.

Cheng, N.; Li, J.; Liu, D.; Lin, Y.; Du, D.* (2019). “Single‐atom nanozyme based on nanoengineered Fe-N-C catalyst with superior peroxidase‐like activity for ultrasensitive bioassays.” Small, 1901485.

Ruan, X.; Liu, D.; Niu, X.; Wang, Y.; Simpson, C. D.; Cheng, N.; Du, D.*; Lin, Y. (2019). “2D graphene oxide/Fe-MOF nanozyme nest with superior peroxidase-like activity and its application for detection of woodsmoke exposure biomarker”. Analytical Chemistry 91 (21), 13847-13854.

Wang, Y.; Zeinhom, M.; Yang, M.; Wang, S.; Smith, J.N.; Timchalk, C.; Li, L.; Lin, Y.; Du, D.* (2017). “A 3D-printed, portable, optical-sensing platform for smartphones capable of detecting the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.” Analytical Chemistry 89, 9339-9346.