professor, at HK UNIVERSITY SHENZHEN HOSPITAL, China.
Dr. Yingjie Nie is a distinguished immunologist based at HK University Shenzhen Hospital 🏥. With a Postdoctoral specialization in tumor immunology and a PhD in autoimmune diseases, she is passionately devoted to advancing human health through immunotherapy. Her pioneering work bridges tumor immunotherapy and psychological health, offering innovative solutions for patients facing autoimmune disorders and cancer. As a mentor, Dr. Nie supervises postdoctoral, PhD, and MPhil students 👩🔬. Her impactful research is featured in leading scientific journals, earning her over 300 citations 📚. With collaborations across institutions like NIH and MACAU University, she exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation. Her book, Invisible Enemies: Leading You to Know about the Novel Coronavirus, reflects her public health engagement. A member of AIA, Dr. Nie’s dedication is transforming how we understand and treat immune-based diseases.
Professional Profile
Scopus
ORCID
🎓 Education
Dr. Yingjie Nie’s educational foundation lies at the intersection of immunology and medical innovation 🧠. She earned her PhD focusing on autoimmune diseases, exploring their root mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Following her doctorate, she undertook a Postdoctoral Fellowship in tumor immunology, specializing in dendritic cell modulation and immunopsychology 🧬. Her educational trajectory has provided the bedrock for a research career that addresses complex interactions between immunity and mental health. She is now actively involved in mentoring MPhil, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates, guiding the next generation of medical scientists. Her dual expertise enables her to cross traditional disciplinary lines and spearhead unique approaches to disease treatment, from molecular immunology to clinical applications.
💼 Experience
Currently positioned at HK University Shenzhen Hospital, Dr. Yingjie Nie brings extensive experience in clinical immunology and academic leadership 🏫. She has established herself as an expert in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune pathology. In addition to her robust research background, Dr. Nie plays a vital academic role by supervising graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Over the years, she has cultivated collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), HK University, and MACAU University 🌍. Her professional journey is underscored by her ability to integrate laboratory research with patient-centered therapeutic applications. Dr. Nie’s reputation in scientific and clinical communities stems from her comprehensive understanding of immune regulation, mental health integration, and translational research in disease control.
🔬 Research Interest
Dr. Yingjie Nie’s research is centered on the convergence of tumor immunotherapy, autoimmune diseases, and immunopsychology 🔬🧠. She investigates how dendritic cells can be manipulated to enhance immune response in both cancer and chronic immune dysfunctions. A key theme in her work is the psychological dimension of immunotherapy—exploring how psychological therapies can support immunological outcomes, especially in patients with tumors or autoimmune conditions 💡. Her current project, “Immunotherapy Combined with Psychological Therapy,” aims to bring a more holistic treatment framework to immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, she examines autophagy’s role in the tumor microenvironment and the regulatory influence of HMGN proteins. Through molecular and translational approaches, Dr. Nie seeks to unlock new therapeutic paradigms and deepen our understanding of immune-behavior connections.
🏆 Awards
Dr. Yingjie Nie’s contributions to biomedical science have positioned her as a rising leader in tumor immunotherapy and autoimmune disease research 🏆. She is now nominated for the International Top Pharmaceutical Award, honoring her pioneering work in integrating psychological health with immunotherapy. Her influence spans both academic and public domains, exemplified by her authorship of the book Invisible Enemies, an accessible guide to the novel coronavirus (ISBN: pending). With over 300 citations and numerous publications in high-impact journals, Dr. Nie’s scientific output is recognized by global research communities 🌟. Though still early in her accolades journey, her collaborations with institutions such as NIH and HK University, as well as her mentorship of young researchers, reflect her role as a transformative figure in healthcare innovation.
📚Top Noted Publications
Dr. Yingjie Nie’s scholarly work has appeared in prominent journals indexed by SCI and Scopus 🌐. Selected publications include:
1. Nanocarrier-mediated targeting of immune pathways for cancer therapy
Journal: International Journal of Nanomedicine (2022)
Citations: 45
Link: (Read here)
Summary:
This paper reviews and presents advances in nanocarrier-based systems for selectively targeting immune cells and modulating immune pathways to enhance cancer immunotherapy. It emphasizes nanoparticle engineering for delivering antigens, adjuvants, and immune checkpoint inhibitors with improved specificity, reduced toxicity, and enhanced tumor microenvironment penetration. Special focus is given to liposomes, polymeric micelles, and dendrimers.
Key Points:
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Nanocarriers can improve bioavailability and stability of immunotherapeutics.
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Facilitates co-delivery of multiple agents for synergistic effects.
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Clinical translation challenges include scalability and immunogenicity.
2. Autophagy regulation in dendritic cells and its role in tumor immunity
Journal: Cell Communication and Signaling (2021)
Citations: 38
Link: (Read here)
Summary:
This paper explores how autophagy mechanisms in dendritic cells (DCs) influence antigen presentation and immune activation against tumors. It demonstrates that autophagy enhances cross-presentation of tumor antigens and affects T-cell priming. Disruptions in autophagy pathways can compromise DC function and immune surveillance in cancer.
Key Points:
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Autophagy is essential for MHC class I antigen presentation in DCs.
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Tumor-induced autophagy inhibition weakens anti-tumor T-cell responses.
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Therapeutic modulation of autophagy could restore immune competence.
3. Psychoneuroimmunology and combined immunotherapy approaches
Journal: EMBO Molecular Medicine (2020)
Citations: 61
Link: (Read here)
Summary:
This interdisciplinary study integrates psychoneuroimmunology with oncology, proposing that psychological stress and neuroendocrine signaling affect immune response efficacy. It reviews how the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system modulate immune checkpoints, offering rationale for combining stress-modulation strategies (e.g., beta-blockers, cognitive therapy) with immunotherapy.
Key Points:
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Stress hormones like cortisol suppress T-cell activity.
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Sympathetic signaling can impair antigen-presenting cell function.
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Integrative therapies may enhance immunotherapy outcomes.
4. HMGN proteins in tumor immunosuppression
Journal: Science Signaling (2019)
Citations: 78
Link: (Read here)
Summary:
This research uncovers a novel immunosuppressive role of HMGN (High Mobility Group Nucleosome-binding) proteins in the tumor microenvironment. HMGN1 and HMGN2 are shown to influence gene expression in immune cells, particularly suppressing pro-inflammatory responses and dendritic cell maturation.
Key Points:
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HMGN overexpression correlates with T-cell exhaustion.
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Targeting HMGN proteins may reinvigorate immune responses.
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Suggests biomarker potential of HMGN in cancer prognosis.
5. Dendritic cells and autoimmune triggers in systemic lupus
Journal: International Journal of Biological Sciences (2018)
Citations: 83
Link: (Read here)
Summary:
This foundational paper examines the role of dendritic cells in initiating and perpetuating autoimmune responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It details how dysregulated DC subsets lead to improper antigen presentation, loss of self-tolerance, and B-cell hyperactivation.
Key Points:
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Plasmacytoid DCs in lupus produce excessive type I interferons.
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Deficient negative feedback in myeloid DCs leads to chronic inflammation.
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Targeted DC modulation is a promising therapeutic avenue in SLE.
Conclusion
Dr. Yingjie Nie demonstrates strong potential and suitability for the Best Researcher Award. Her interdisciplinary focus, notable publications, academic mentorship, and innovative exploration of combining immunotherapy with psychological care mark her as a valuable contributor to pharmaceutical and medical sciences.