Author Interview: Dr. Chenyu Zou

Event Introduction 

Since its founding in 2016, Bioactive Materials (BAM) has emerged as a leading international platform in materials science and biomedicine. Over the past decade, the journal has achieved remarkable growth, with its impact factor rising from 8.724 (2019) to 20.3 (2024). It has also been listed as a top-tier journal in the Chinese Academy of Sciences Journal Classification (Q1) and the T1 category of the High-Quality Scientific Journal Grading Catalog for materials science for five years (2020–2025). None of this would have been possible without the trust and contributions of our global authors, whose innovative research has shaped BAM’s success. 

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we launch the **Author Interviews** series, featuring distinguished contributors who have grown alongside BAM—including early-stage submitters, highly cited scholars, and rising scientists. Through their stories, we will explore their journeys with BAM: from the excitement of first submissions to the impact of published research, from upholding research integrity to navigating academic influence, and their visions for the field’s future. These conversations aim to provide practical insights for emerging researchers and express our deepest gratitude to all authors who have been part of our journey. 

Author Interview: Dr. Chenyu Zou

Chenyu Zou is a PhD candidate at the National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, supervised by Professor Xie Huiqi. His research focuses on bioactive materials for hemostasis and tissue repair. He has been awarded the National Scholarship twice (2021-2022, 2022-2023) and led key research projects including the NSFC Basic Research Project for PhD Students and the Sichuan Science and Technology Program. 

Here is the interview we did with him:

I. Origins with BAM

1. What first introduced you to BAM? Do you remember the research topic of your first submission to BAM? What key factors influenced your decision to choose BAM at the time?

Under the leadership of Professor Xie Huiqi, our team has long been dedicated to researching and translating extracellular matrix (ECM) materials—a class of intrinsically bioactive materials that align perfectly with BAM’s core focus. Hence, BAM has remained a pivotal academic platform for us. My first submission to BAM originated from the initial graduate research project (Multi-crosslinking hydrogels with robust bio-adhesion and pro-coagulant activity for first-aid hemostasis and infected wound healing). This study aimed to enhance the tissue adhesion of natural polymers through a multi-crosslinking strategy, enabling efficient wound sealing, hemostasis, and healing. The decision to submit to BAM was driven by two key factors: Exceptional thematic alignment with the journal’s mission and BAM’s outstanding reputation and influence in the field. We were honored to have this work accepted by BAM. Particularly encouraging was its significant impact: the paper rapidly gained recognition as an ESI Highly Cited Paper (since 2023.5) and was honored with the 2023 Bioactive Materials Best Paper Award.

2. Among your publications in BAM, which article stands out the most? How has it impacted your academic career?

Among the high-impact publications in BAM, the study by Professor Guo Baolin’s team at Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2022 (Mussel-inspired adhesive antioxidant antibacterial hemostatic composite hydrogel wound dressing via photo-polymerization for infected skin wound healing) left a profound mark on me. This work innovatively harnessed photo-polymerization technology to crosslink modified chitosan with Zn²⁺-coordinated dopamine derivatives, creating a multifunctional hydrogel dressing that combines robust tissue adhesion, exceptional compressibility, potent antibacterial/antioxidant activity, and rapid hemostatic performance—offering a novel strategy for treating drug-resistant bacterial wounds. Its impact on my research has been profound and multifaceted: beyond broadening my horizons by demonstrating nature-inspired biomaterial design, it provided critical methodological guidance, which directly informed my experimental designs. Ultimately, this pioneering work catalyzed progress in multiple follow-up studies within my team.

3. As a long-term supporter of BAM, how would you describe the journal’s development over the past decade (e.g., impact factor, review processes, internationalization)? What changes have impressed you the most?

As a long-term supporter, I’ve witnessed BAM remarkable evolution from a national leader to a global hub. Its impact factor surpassing 20 in 2025 reflects worldwide recognition of academic excellence. The journal delivers exceptional author services—fast-track reviews ensure timely publication, while rigorous double-blind peer review provides constructive feedback that elevates paper quality. Personally, I’ve benefited from reviewers’ meticulous suggestions. Beyond disseminating cutting-edge research, BAM has built an inclusive global platform fostering equitable collaboration. Ultimately, it proves top journals can be both prestigious and supportive homes for scholars.

II. Submission and Academic Exchange Experiences

4. Could you share your secrets to success in submitting to BAM? For example, how do you prepare manuscripts that align with the journal’s scope? How do you efficiently respond to reviewer comments?

For successful submissions for BAM, align your work closely with the journal’s scope and ensure it meets top-tier standards through innovative significance and robust experimental validation. Specifically: (1) Highlight key innovations concisely, avoiding redundancy; (2) Present data visually for clarity—use schematics when needed; (3) Employ precise academic language to convey complex findings. These practices demonstrate respect for editors, reviewers, and your own work. When responding to reviewers, treat feedback as collaborative dialogue: Understand diverse perspectives, then address each point thoroughly via supplemental experiments, deeper data analysis, or literature support. This rigorous yet receptive approach turns critiques into catalysts for excellence.

5. BAM emphasizes multi-discipline-crossing and clinical translation potential. How do you balance academic innovation with practical application in your research design?

Academic innovation and clinical impact are dual engines driving translation—never opposites. Professor Xie Huiqi inspires us to bridge the bench and bedside. Our research follows a closed loop: starting with unmet clinical needs, advancing through cross-disciplinary solutions (materials/biology/engineering synergy for efficient innovation), and culminating in patient benefits. For biomaterials, true innovation lies in decoding material-biology interactions and structure-activity relationships. This mission aligns perfectly with BAM’s core vision of interdisciplinary innovation for clinical impact.

6. Research integrity is a core principle of BAM. How do you ensure the authenticity and reproducibility of your data in your research? What advice would you give to early-career scholars on this topic?

In our lab, research integrity is absolutely non-negotiable. We protect it through three steps: First, we regularly verify every detail in our raw lab notebooks to ensure full transparency. Second, every paper gets reviewed by our ethics committee before submission to double-check all data and wording. Third, we always run AI scans on images to catch accidental duplication. To young researchers: Remember science is a marathon—build your career step by step, never take shortcuts, and absolutely never engage in misconduct.

III. Discipline Outlook and Future Aspirations 

7. At the forefront of the materials science and biomedicine intersection, what do you see as the key breakthrough directions for the next decade? How might BAM contribute to these developments?

The next decade will witness transformative growth in biomaterials driven by multidisciplinary convergence, catalyzing new disciplines. Key breakthroughs will focus on novel materials (e.g., ECM, exosomes), advanced technologies (e.g., organoids, AI, materials genomics), and emerging theories (e.g., metabolic regulation, targeted anti-aging). Crucially, bridging the gap between basic research and clinical translation remains paramount. BAM, as a leading journal, targets next-generation biomaterials and studies that stimulate and/or direct appropriate cellular and tissue responses. Leveraging its global influence, BAM fosters innovation through conferences, seminars, and special issues—summarizing progress while igniting new ideas for researchers worldwide.

8. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to young scholars submitting to BAM for the first time?

Before submitting to BAM, ensure your work aligns with the journal’s focus by meeting its standards for innovation depth and workload. Critically evaluate three key aspects: what clinical pain point your study addresses, how your material design breaks new ground, and what bioactivity mechanisms are involved. Anchoring your research in clinical problem-solving, utilizing biomaterials as the solution, and demonstrating scientific rigor through mechanistic exploration will create compelling narratives that resonate broadly across disciplines.

9. Please share a one-sentence wish for BAM’s next decade and your expectations for the journal.

May Bioactive Materials continue leading biomaterials innovation in the coming decade, fearlessly exploring new frontiers and reporting transformative research with clinical impact. May every published study benefit human health globally while rooted in scientific excellence.