Professor Xiaowei Wang heads the Molecular Imaging and Nanotherapeutics laboratory at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, co-leads the Heart Attack Program, and co-leads the Centre for Cardiometabolic mRNA Therapy.

With a career that bridges clinical practice and cutting-edge research, Professor Wang began as a cardiac technologist before moving into medical research. This foundation in patient care has shaped her strong focus on translational science, bringing laboratory discoveries into real-world applications that improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Professor Wang’s multidisciplinary research spans physics, chemistry, biology, and biotechnology, integrating basic science with the development of clinical-ready diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. She specialises in preclinical molecular imaging across multiple advanced platforms, including MRI, ultrasound, PET, microCT, fluorescence, and photoacoustic imaging. These technologies are applied for both early and accurate diagnosis, as well as in theranostic applications, where diagnosis, targeted therapy, and real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy occur in tandem.

A major focus of her work is the development of targeted drug and mRNA delivery systems using micro- and nano-particles. This includes mRNA therapeutics and vaccines for cardiovascular disease, designed to replace missing proteins, prevent heart attacks and strokes, and reduce harmful inflammation, all delivered through precision-engineered nanoparticles that minimise side effects.

Professor Wang’s contributions have been recognised with 14 Young Investigator Awards, 18 research prizes, and 27 national and international travel grants. She is a founding member of the Australian Society of Molecular Imaging (ASMI), serving as its President from 2017 to 2021. She is the current Immediate Past President of the Federation of Asian Societies of Molecular Imaging (FASMI) and the Australian Representative to both FASMI and the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS).

Beyond her research leadership, Professor Wang is committed to equity, mentorship, and community building in science. She is a member of the Baker Institute’s Gender Equity and Diversity Committee, Chair of the Institute’s Mentoring Committee, and serves on the Leadership Committee of the Women in Molecular Imaging Network.