Lyon, France | October 2026
The Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology (BBT) proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of Dr. Han Gao, former PhD student, who was honored with a prestigious Young Investigator Award during the 3rd Controlled Release Society (CRS) BeNeLux & France Local Chapter Meeting in Lyon, France.
The award recognizes Dr. Gao's exceptional contributions to the fields of drug delivery, nanomedicine, and translational pharmaceutical sciences, highlighting both the scientific excellence and international impact of his research. Receiving this distinction at one of the region's leading drug delivery conferences places Dr. Gao among a select group of early-career researchers shaping the future of advanced therapeutic technologies.
The CRS BeNeLux & France Local Chapter Meeting brought together leading scientists, clinicians, innovators, and industry partners from across Europe to discuss the latest advances in controlled release technologies, biomaterials, and precision medicine. Against this highly competitive international backdrop, Dr. Gao's work stood out for its scientific quality, innovation, and potential to address important healthcare challenges.
For the SantosLab, this recognition represents not only a personal milestone for Dr. Gao, but also a testament to years of dedication, perseverance, and curiosity-driven research. Since joining the group, Dr. Gao has consistently demonstrated a commitment to scientific excellence and a passion for developing next-generation nanomedicine strategies with clear translational potential.
"We are incredibly proud of Han and this well-deserved recognition. This award reflects his hard work, creativity, and determination to push the boundaries of drug delivery and nanomedicine research. Han has become an outstanding scientist and role model for young researchers, and we are excited to see his continued contributions to the field," said Prof. Hélder A. Santos.
Beyond recognizing individual excellence, the award also highlights the vibrant and collaborative research environment within BBT and UMCG, where interdisciplinary teams work together to bridge fundamental discoveries and clinical applications. The success of researchers such as Dr. Gao reinforces the department's international reputation as a leading center for translational biomaterials, pharmaceutical sciences, and nanomedicine.
The Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology warmly congratulates Dr. Han Gao on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to following the next chapters of his successful scientific journey.
Congratulations, Han!
