Courtesy of Tulane University

Tony Hu is a distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biology

Tony Hu, director of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Diagnostics at the Tulane University School of Medicine, resigned from Tulane University this month to accept the position of dean of the new School of Biomedical Engineering at Tsinghua University, which is No. 11 in U.S. News & World Report’s best global university category.

Contrary to speculations that he left his position at Tulane due to grant cuts from the National Institutes of Health, the school “never lost a penny for the grant” and his decision was completely voluntary, Hu said. “Anytime Tulane needs me to do anything, I won’t hesitate to provide my best effort.” 

Prior to his departure, Hu was also distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, as well the Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation at Tulane. Hu and his team pioneered research in nanotechnology, infectious disease biomarkers and cancer. This experience was what drew him to Tsinghua. 

“Medical science has been [Tsinghua’s] weakness,” Hu said. The Chinese university “needed someone to merge their strengths in engineering with its application in medicine.” 

Hu said he is shifting his focus from research and professorship at Tulane to administrative operations at Tsinghua. Hu will play a key role in the recruitment and development of junior faculty. 

Defining “the division of future science for this school” will be Hu’s most important role, he said. This involves addressing a range of questions such as “space allocation … how we could improve the AI involvement in teaching and research … and how to talk with the industry or local government for collaboration.” 

The proximity of the university to his hometown and the opportunity to care for his parents also motivated Hu to pursue a career in China. 

Hu’s contributions to global health initiatives earned him the prestigious 2025 Academy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical Chemistry in a Selected Area of Research, among numerous other accolades. 

“This could be the most successful six years I ever had,” Hu said about his time at Tulane. During his tenure, Hu published more than 85 papers in high-profile journals like Nature and Science.

The work that stood out most during Hu’s tenure was his research related to developing rapid tests for COVID-19, tuberculosis and pneumonia, which was “published very beautifully,” Hu said. 

“It has been so enjoyable to work with everyone,” Hu said in reference to his colleagues. “Everyone appreciates our hard work and high productivity in innovation.”