He started HIV/AIDS research from the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic in China and participate identifying the first case AIDS and isolating the first HIV virus in China in the early 1980s. He led a National Expert Task Force to set up three national HIV laboratory networks conducting HIV diagnosis, molecular epidemiology and drug resistance surveillance for China. His research areas include HIV molecular epidemiology, HIV drug resistance surveillance, immunology and vaccine research. His team identified the origin and tracked down the geographic spreads of HIV-1 and HIV-2 clades and discovered 7 circulating recombinant forms of HIV-1 in China. His work has first shown that the HIV treatment as prevention strategy discovered by NIH clinical trial is working in the real world of public health treatment campaign.

His team conducted novel HIV vaccines research based on re-designing HIV immunogen, inspired by the first lentivirus vaccine (EIAV vaccine) and replicating vaccinia Tiantan (rTV) vector (Chinese small pox vaccine) with DNA vaccine priming and rTV boost. The vaccines provided protection against viral acquisition by homologues challenges in rhesus macaques. The vaccines have concluded phase Ia, Ib, Ic and phase IIa clinical trials, stimulating HIV specific antibody response (>95%) and T cell responses (>60%) in human volunteers. The vaccines are under preparation for Phase IIb/III trials in China by Chinese National Program as well as a Collaborative Project between China CDC and NIAID/NIH to incorporate a gp145 vaccine made by NIH.

His group has published more than 850 research papers in English and Chinese journals. He has got numerous scientific awards at Health Ministry and Municipal government levels as well as National Awards for Science and Technology Progress. He served as Chair Chinese Virology Committee and is the vice Chair for Chinese Microbiology Society. He is the adjunct professors for Beijing University Health Science Center and School of Medicine of Nankai University, and Chair Professor Zhejiang University. He also served as the member for WHO’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Vaccine Product Development and HIV Vaccine Advisory Committees. He is the fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.