Research Interests:

• Nanofibers/nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery
• Functional nanofibers for biomedical end uses
• Trans-dermal drug delivery
• Transport behavior of fibrous/biomedical materials
• Biodegradable polymers

Research Supported By:

• NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) Discovery
• NSERC RTI (Research Tools and Instrument)
• CFI (Canada Foundation for Innovation)
• MHRC (Manitoba Health Research Council)
• MMSF (Manitoba Medical Service Foundation)
• URGP (University Research Grant Program)
• Faculty of Human Ecology Startup funds and Research Associate funds

Award:
  -  2011 Rh Award in Natural Sciences from the Winnipeg Rh Foundation

Recent Publications and Journals Articles:

1. Khan, M. M. R., Chen, Y., Laguë, C., Landry, H., Peng, Q. and Zhong W. (2013). Hemp decortication using the drop weight method. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 29: 79-87.
2. Shi, J. B., Ouyang, J., Li, Q. T., Wang, L.Y., Wu, J., Zhong, W. and Xing, M.(2012). Cell-compatible hydrogels based on a multifunctional crosslinker with tunable stiffness for tissue engineering. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22: 23952-23962.
3. Chen, J., Zehtabi, F., Ouyang, J., Kong, JM, Zhong, W. and Xing, M. (2012). Reducible self-assembled micelles for enhanced intracellular delivery of doxorubicin. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22: 7121-7129. (Featured on the front cover of Issue 15)
4. Shi, J. B., Xing, M. and Zhong, W. (2012). Development of Hydrogels and Biomimetic Regulators as Tissue Engineering Scaffolds. Membranes, 2:70-90.
5. Chen, J., Zhou, S., Li, Q., Ouyang, J., Kong, J., Zhong, W. and Xing, M. (2011).PLLA-PEG-TCH –labeled Bioactive Molecule Nanofibers for Tissue Engineering. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 6: 2533-2542.
6. Chen, J., Qiu, X., Ouyang, J., Kong, J., Zhong, W. and Xing, M. (2011). pH and Reduction Dual-Sensitive Copolymeric Micelles for Intracellular Doxorubicin Delivery. Biomacromolecules, 12 (10), 3601-3611 (Top 2 most read and downloaded articles on Oct 2011).
7. Chen, J., Xing, M. and Zhong, W. (2011). Degradable micelles based on hydrolytically degradable amphiphilic graft copolymers for doxorubicin delivery Polymer, 52(4), 933-941.
8. Lu, C.H.,Xing, M., Zhong, W. (2011). Shell cross-linked and hepatocyte-targeting nanoparticles containing doxorubicin via acid-cleavable linkage. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine, 7(1), 80-87.
9. Khan, M.M.R., Chen, Y., Belsham, T., Lague, C., Landry, H., Peng, Q., Zhong, W. (2011). Fineness and tensile properties of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibres. Biosystem Engineering, 108, 9-17.
10. Xing, M., Zhong, W., Xu, X.L., &Thomson, D.(2010). Adhesion force studies of nanofibers and nanoparticles. Langmuir, 26, 11809-11814.
11. Lu, C.H., & Zhong, W. (2010). Synthesis of Propargyl-terminated Heterobifunctional Poly(ethylene glycol). Polymers, 2, 407-417.
12. Zhong, W., Xing, M.M.Q., & Maibach, H.I. (2010). Nanofibrous Mateirals for Wound Care. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 29, 143-152.
13.  Xu, X.L., Zhong, W., Zhou, S.F., Trajtman, A., & Alfa, M. (2010). Electrospun PEG-PLA Nanofibrous Membrane for Sustained Release of Hydrophilic Antibiotics. Journal of Applied Polymer Sciences, 118, 588-595.
14. Zhou, S. & Zhong, W. (2010). Adhesion and Binding in Nanofibrous Materials. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 24, 35-44.
15. Khan, M.R., Chen, Y., Lague, C., Landry, H., Peng, Q., & Zhong, W. (2010). Compressive properties of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stalks. Biosystems Engineering, 106, 315-323.
16. Yang, C.C., Qian, C., Zhong, W., Wang, Y., & Wang, H.P. (2009). The design and manufacture of profiled multi-channeled hollow polyester fibers. Fibers and Polymers, 10(5), 657-661
17. Zhong, W., Xing, M.M.Q., Hui, X.Y., & Maibach, H.I. (2009). A Stochastic Model for Transepidermal Drug Delivery. Skin Research and Technology,15, 407-411.
18. Xing, M.M.Q., Hui, X.Y., Zhong, W., Pan, N., Yaghmaie, F. & Maibach, H.I. (2009). In vitro human topical bioactive drug transdermal absorption: Estradiol. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 28, 171-175.
19. Truong, M., Zhong, W. Boyko, S. & Alcock, M. (2009). A Comparative Study on Natural Fibre Density Measurement. Journal of the Textile Institute, 100(6), 525-529.
20. Zhong, W., Alfa, M., Zelenitsky, S., & Howie, R. (2009). Simulation of Cyclic Reprocessing Buildup on Reused Medical Devices. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 39(6), 568-577.
21. Zhong, W., Ahmad, A., Xing, M.Q., Yamada, P., & Hamel, C. (2008). Impact of Textiles on Formation and Prevention of Skin Lesions and Bedsores. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 27, 21-28.
22. Xing, M.Q., Pan, N., Zhong, W., Hui, X. & Maibach HI. (2008). Interfacial kinetics effects on transdermal drug delivery: a computer modeling. Skin Research and Technology, 14, 165-172.
23. Zhong, W. & Pan, N. (2007). Aerosol Filtration by Fibrous Filters: A Statistical Mechanics Approach. Textile Research Journal, 77, 284-289.
24. Xing, M.Q., Pan, N., Zhong, W., & Maibach, H.I. (2007). Skin Friction Blistering: Computer Model. Skin Research and Technology, 13, 310-316.
25. Zhong, W., Pan, N., & Lucas, D. (2006). Modeling on Liquid Transport in Fibrous Structures: a Multi-Scale Approach. Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience, 3, 506–512
26. Xing, M.Q., Sun, Z.G., Pan, N., Zhong, W., & Maibach, H.I. (2006). An EFE model on skin -- sleeve interactions during arm rotation. Journal biomechanical engineering- ASME, 128, 872-878.
27. Zhong, W., Pan, N., Xing, M.Q., & Maibach, H.I. (2006). Textiles and Human Skin: Microclimate, Cutaneous Reactions, An Overview. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 25, 1-17.

    Text Book

28. Zhong W., An introduction to Healthcare and Medical Textiles, Lancaster, PA: DEStech Publications, Inc., 2012.

    Book chapter

29. Zhong W., Chapter 22 - Textiles for medical filters, in Handbook of medical textiles, Ed. Bartels W and Picking K, Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2012.
30. Zhong W, Xing MQ and Pan N,. Chapter 13: Developments in clothing protection technology, in Functional textiles for improved performance, protection and health, Ed. Sun G and Pan N, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2012.
31. Zhong W, Xing MQ and Pan N,. Chapter 22: Textile dyes/chemicals transdermal permeation, in Functional textiles for improved performance, protection and health, Ed. Sun G and Pan N, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2012.