Summary
Profile
Drug-delivery scientist advancing aqueous organic nanocrystals through an original charge-balanced aggregation strategy and developing ultrasound-responsive systems for spatiotemporally controlled drug delivery.
Research Interests
Focus Areas
Charge-balanced aggregation for aqueous organic nanocrystals
Programmable release from ultrasound-responsive hydrogels
EchoDose ultrasound release dosimetry toward feedback-guided, closed-loop dosing
Google Scholar
Profile
Academic Education
Sep 2016 – Nov 2020
Czech RepublicPh.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Tomas Bata University
Dissertation: Drug Self-Delivery Systems for Enhanced Targeted Cancer Therapy.
Coursework: Biomaterials, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical analysis.
Sep 2013 – Jun 2015
Macau, ChinaM.S., Chinese Medicinal Science, University of Macau
Dissertation: Effects of X-shaped Reduction-sensitive Copolymer on Drug Delivery.
Coursework: Molecular pharmaceutics, targeted drug delivery, biosafety evaluation.
Sep 2009 – Jul 2013
Nanjing, ChinaB.S., Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University
Coursework: Pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical analysis, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology.
Research Experience
Jul 2023 – Present
Ann Arbor, MI, USAResearch Fellow, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan
Invented and advanced charge-balanced aggregation as a predictive formulation strategy for stable, excipient-free aqueous organic nanocrystals from therapeutic and functional conjugated molecules, linking molecular ionization conditions and aggregation behavior to surface-charge control and colloidal stability.
Developed release-mode and kinetic strategies for ultrasound-responsive fibrin hydrogel depots with phase-shift emulsions and acoustic droplet vaporization to program sustained, pulsatile, and sequential local delivery.
Demonstrated programmed sequential release of bFGF and PDGF from Janus acoustically responsive scaffolds for vascular regeneration, supported by the University of Michigan Regenerative Medicine Translational Research Fellowship.
Invented EchoDose, an ultrasound release-dosimetry method that estimates cumulative release from ultrasound-responsive hydrogels using post-exposure B-mode images, making release quantifiable in real time between exposures; patent submitted and paper under review.
Feb 2022 – Jun 2023
Chicago, IL, USAResearch Fellow, Engineering and Radiation Oncology, Loyola University Chicago
Extended drug-delivery training into externally triggered delivery and preclinical therapeutic models.
Nov 2020 – Jan 2022
Zlin, Czech RepublicAcademic Researcher, Centre of Polymer Systems, Tomas Bata University
Engineered self-assembled drug nanoparticles for combinatorial chemo-photodynamic cancer therapy.
Established preparation methods to control particle properties for enhanced tumor targeting.
Publications and Scholar-Indexed Outputs
Peer-Reviewed
1. Selected Xiao H, Xie J, Maji S, Aliabouzar M, Fabiilli ML. From microbubbles to macro-control: Linking ultrasound-induced microarchitecture to precise drug release kinetics from acoustically responsive scaffolds. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. 2026;132:107965.
2. Selected Xiao H, Aliabouzar M, Fabiilli ML. Ultrasound-Responsive Composite Hydrogels: Design Rules for Spatiotemporally Controlled Drug Delivery. Journal of Controlled Release. 2026:114997.
3. Sreejith A, Xiao H, Howson I, Bocchetta M, Aryal M. Development of a Glymphatic Pathway-based Rat Model for Cancer Metastasis from Brain to Lung. In Vivo. 2026;40(2):784-794.
4. Xiao H, Sreejith A, Howson I, Cruz AA, Key T, Iliff JJ, Aryal M. Focused Ultrasound Enhances Glymphatic Transport Robustly Across Anesthesia Levels. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 2025;51(10):1701-1709.
5. Selected Xiao H, Maji S, Pinch A, Aliabouzar M, Fabiilli ML. Janus acoustically responsive scaffolds for sequential drug release with phase-programmed steady and pulsatile kinetics. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2025;700(Pt 3):138523.
6. Xiao H, Aliabouzar M, Fabiilli M. Programmed Sequential Release of Growth Factors Using Janus Acoustically Responsive Scaffolds for Vascular Regeneration. Tissue Engineering Part A. 2025;31(23-24).
7. Selected Zhao W, Li Q, He P, Li C, Aryal M, Fabiilli ML, Xiao H. Charge balanced aggregation: A universal approach to aqueous organic nanocrystals. Journal of Controlled Release. 2024;375:552-573.
8. Selected Xiao H, Aliabouzar M, Fabiilli ML. Acoustically responsive scaffolds: Unraveling release kinetics and mechanisms for sustained, steady drug delivery. Journal of Controlled Release. 2024;374:205-218.
9. Xiao H, Shrestha B, Gallegos G, Kalensky N, Patel D, Bocchetta M, et al. The efficiency of ultrasonic glymphatic manipulation-based intrathecal drug delivery depends on the physiological states. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2023;153(3_supplement):A102-A102.
10. Guo Y, Liu H, Xiao H, Yuan M, Liu Y, Sedlarik V, Chin WC, Liu J, Guo L, Li C. Self-assembled Camptothecin derivatives - Curcuminoids conjugate for combinatorial chemo-photodynamic therapy to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2021;215:112124.
11. Liu H, Yuan M, Liu Y, Guo Y, Xiao H, Guo L, Liu F. Self-Monitoring and Self-Delivery of Self-Assembled Fluorescent Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2021;16:2487-2499.
12. Selected Xiao H, Guo Y, Liu H, Liu Y, Wang Y, Li C, Cisar J, Skoda D, Kuritka I, Guo L, Sedlarik V. Structure-based design of charge-conversional drug self-delivery systems for better targeted cancer therapy. Biomaterials. 2020;232:119701.
13. Xiao H, Sedlarik V. A Rapid and Sensitive HPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Irinotecan Hydrochloride and Curcumin in Co-delivered Polymeric Nanoparticles. Journal of Chromatographic Science. 2020;58(7):651-660.
14. Xiao H. Systémy dávkování léčiv pro léčbu rakoviny. Tomas Bata University in Zlin. 2016.
15. Xiao H, Wang L. Effects of X-shaped reduction-sensitive amphiphilic block copolymer on drug delivery. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2015;10:5309-5325.
Patents
Patent Portfolio
Haijun Xiao. A curcumin self-dispersing particle system, its preparation method, preparation device, and applications. US Patent Application 18/998,114; US20250221945A1, 2025.
Haijun Xiao. Turmeric self-dispersing particle system, method for preparing same, preparation device, and use thereof. WO2023221774A1, 2023.
Haijun Xiao, Q Li. Double-yellow nano-particles and preparation and application thereof. CN116019780A, 2023.
Haijun Xiao. Self-dispersed particle system, and preparation and application thereof. WO2023045778A1, 2023.
Haijun Xiao, Vladimir Sedlarik. Methods of making nanocrystals with enhanced biological availability and formulation for such nanocrystals preparation for use in anticancer therapy. WO2020088702A1, priority 2018; published May 7, 2020; related Czech patent CZ308874B6.
Conferences
Nov 2025
Detroit, MI, USAOral presentation, TERMIS-AM 2025 Conference. Presentation OP-068: Programmed sequential release of growth factors using Janus acoustically responsive scaffolds for vascular regeneration.
Jun 2025
Banff, CanadaPoster, 24th Annual International Symposium of International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU). Topic: Janus acoustically responsive scaffolds for sequential drug release with phase-programmed steady and pulsatile kinetics.
Apr 2025
Chicago, IL, USAPoster, 50th Annual Meeting & Exposition of The Society For Biomaterials. Topic: Acoustically responsive scaffolds for sequential drug release with phase-programmed steady and pulsatile kinetics.
Oct 2024
Taipei, TaiwanPoster, 23rd Annual International Symposium of International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU). Topic: Acoustically Responsive Scaffolds: Unraveling Release Kinetics and Mechanisms for Sustained, Steady Drug Delivery.
Nov 2023
Cleveland, OH, USAPoster, Biomaterials Day. Topic: Ultrasound influence on fibrin gel degradation and dextran release: implications for controlled release.
Apr 2023
Chicago, IL, USAPoster, Acoustical Society of America. Topic: The efficiency of ultrasonic glymphatic manipulation-based intrathecal drug delivery depends on the physiological states.
Apr 2020
California, USAInvited oral presentation, Bioengineering Seminar Series. Topic: Drug self-delivery systems for cancer therapy.
Oct 2019
Naples, ItalyOral presentation, Poly-Char World Forum on Advanced Materials. Topic: A drug self-delivery system for cancer therapy.
Oct 2016
Zlin, Czech RepublicOral presentation, NewGen Conference: Hydrogel/Bio-mineralised Biomaterial. Topic: Polymeric micellar nano systems for drug delivery.
Academic Visits
Mar 2021 – May 2021
ChinaAcademic Visitor, Qingdao Agricultural University
Project: Drug self-delivery system for myocardial ischemia protection in nude mice.
Mar 2020 – May 2020
USAAcademic Visitor, University of California, Merced
Project: Drug self-delivery system for cancer treatment based on photodynamic therapy.
Mar 2019 – Apr 2019
ChinaHR Mobility Research Experience, Chengdu University of TCM
Project: In vivo therapeutic effects of anti-cancer drugs in nude mice.
Grants and Fellowships
Fellowships
University of Michigan Regenerative Medicine Translational Research Fellowship Program, 2025.
Research member, Internal Grant Agency projects IGA/CPS/2017/005, IGA/CPS/2018/003, IGA/CPS/2019/006, IGA/CPS/2020/002.
Grant No. LO 1504, funded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.
Core Expertise
Competencies
Charge-Balanced Aggregation: predictive molecular-combination rule; excipient-free aqueous organic nanocrystals; molecular ionization conditions, surface-charge control, and colloidal stability; lyophilized storage and redispersion.
Programmable release: ultrasound-responsive fibrin hydrogels; phase-shift emulsions; acoustic droplet vaporization; sustained, pulsatile, and sequential release; release-kinetic modeling; full factorial process mapping.
EchoDose release dosimetry: B-mode ultrasound estimation of cumulative release, calibrated against analytical release measurements.
Evaluation and analysis: HPLC method development; in vitro and in vivo biosafety, delivery-efficiency, and efficacy evaluation; R-based data analysis.