Fan Zhang, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmaceutics in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, is a 2025 recipient of the UF Health Cancer Center Rising Star of the Year Award.
The award, which recognizes early-stage investigators whose accomplishments distinguish them as possible future leaders in the Cancer Center, was bestowed upon Zhang during a Jan. 10 ceremony at the Cade Museum in Gainesville. As one of four winners selected from each of the Cancer Center’s research programs, Zhang represented the Cancer Targeting and Therapeutics program, which is led by Jatinder Lamba, Ph.D., and Timothy Spicer, Ph.D.
Zhang said that he considers this achievement a recognition of his team’s dedication to cancer research and a source of motivation to continue its advancement.
“I am deeply grateful to the nominators for their recognition, trust, and encouragement,” Zhang said. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated lab members who have worked tirelessly on their research, the supportive mentors who have provided invaluable guidance throughout my career, and the funding agencies that have supported our efforts.”

Zhang, whose research program leverages materials science, cell engineering, and immunology to determine the fundamental principles that govern nanoparticles’ interaction with immune cells and their tissue tropism, was also recently awarded an Outstanding Investigator Award, or R35 grant, from the National Institutes of Health. He said this work can be applied to develop nanotherapeutics that enhance the safety and efficacy of existing drugs.
“Although numerous preclinical and clinical studies on nanotherapeutics have been conducted, only a limited number successfully reach the market,” Zhang explained. “A key translational barrier for nanotherapeutics is the insufficient understanding of their in vivo behavior, which directly impacts their efficacy and toxicity. Our research aims to address this critical knowledge gap and accelerate the clinical translation of nanotherapeutics.”
Though his work comes with its fair share of challenges, Zhang remains steadfast in his commitment to delivering life-saving solutions for patients with brain tumors and other cancers.
“I have been deeply inspired by the resilience of these patients and their families in facing this disease. Their unwavering dedication to improving the future for those affected is both admirable and profoundly motivating,” Zhang said. “These experiences have also allowed me to witness the real-world impact of my work, highlighting the harsh reality that many cancer patients, including those with brain tumors, still do not benefit from advances in therapeutic innovation. This underscores the urgent need for researchers like my team, who focuses on the translational side of cancer research to broaden the impact of cancer immunotherapy and extend its benefits to more patients.”