Ze ZhangPh.D.

Dr. Ze Zhang received his B.Eng. and M.Eng. in 1982 and 1984 from Chengdu University of Science & Technology (now Sichuan University) and then his PhD degree in Experimental Medicine from Laval University in 1993. After a postdoctoral training in Japan, he returned to Laval University in 1995 and later became a professor in the Department of Surgery of the School of Medicine, and a researcher at the CHU de Québec-Laval University Research Center Division of Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Zhang’s research has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ), and industrial partners. He has more than one hundred journal publications, has edited one book, and authored several book chapters.

Dr. Zhang is interested in biomaterials, wound healing, and cardiovascular devices.

Electrical stimulation for wound healing

Electrical interactions are ubiquitous in biological systems and play pivotal roles in molecular recognition and signal transduction. In collaboration with Dr. Mahmoud Rouabhia, Dr. Zhang develops electrically conductive biomaterials and uses them as scaffold or substrate to mediate electrical stimulation to cells. The electrically activated cells are studied for their behaviors, activation mechanisms, and potential in wound healing. Research approaches include material preparation, cell culture, biological analysis, and animal experiments.

Conductive polymers

Electrically conductive polymers are useful as semi-conductors and in the energy harvesting and storage sectors. However, such polymers are usually poor in mechanical properties, processability and functionality. Dr. Zhang’s lab focusses on the nano-structured conductive polymers with improved properties and functionalities. Research approaches include polymer synthesis, surface modification, and material analysis.

Cardiovascular devices, implants, and materials

The safety and quality of cardiovascular implants such as vascular prostheses and heart valves are critical to patients. In collaboration with Drs. Yvan Douville and Robert Guidoin, Dr. Zhang has a long-term research interest in the development of new cardiovascular devices, the analysis of clinically retrieved medical explants, and the study of new materials for medical applications. Research approaches include in vitro tests, animal experiments, material analysis, and polymer synthesis.