Dr Chenlei Gu's work combines engineering, molecular biology, and computational analysis at a very high level, backed up by an impressive first-author paper and strong citation profile. He shows substantial future promise.
Dr Nigel Eady - Director of Research Talent
21 May 2026
Dr Chenlei Gu awarded the Tadion Rideal Prize for Molecular Science
Congratulations to Dr Chenlei Gu on winning the 2025/26 Tadion Rideal Prize for Molecular Science for his doctoral thesis ‘Engineering a Nanoneedle Biopsy Platform for Spatiotemporal Omics.'
Dr Chenlei Gu holds a Phd in Biomedicine, completed under the supervision of Dr. Ciro Chiappini (KCL) and Dr. Michael Thomas (UCL). His doctoral research focused on the design and application of silicon nanoneedles for spatiotemporal omics.
Dr Chenlei Gu was selected to receive the £1000 award for his outstanding, original and ambitious research. His research addresses a major limitation in spatial omics by developing a nanoneedle-based platform capable of repeated molecular sampling from living tissue over time - a highly innovative and potentially transformative methodological advance.
Since graduating in 2025, Dr Chenlei Gu has continued his research career as the Spatial Biology Facility Manager at King’s College London and has successfully been awarded the prestigious RED (Research Environment and Development) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Spatial Biology Research Lab, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, with his appointment commencing in 2026.
Together, these roles provide an ideal interdisciplinary setting to further develop and translate his skills in spatial biology field.
Whether through academic collaboration or translational application, Dr Chenlei Gu's long-term goal is to help establish a new generation of spatially aware, systems-level tools that guide diagnostics, therapeutic discovery, and precision medicine. These efforts will not only build upon the foundations of the work being recognized by the Tadion Rideal Prize, but also extend well beyond it, contributing broadly to the fields of molecular science, tissue engineering, and biomedical innovation.
Dr Ciro Chiappini, Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology, London Centre for Nanotechnology
The Tadion Rideal Prize
This award was instituted in 1983 by a gift from Dr J. Tadion to commemorate his association with the late Sir Eric Rideal FRS and King’s College London. The prize of £1,000 is awarded annually and is open to doctoral students of King’s College London who have carried out research for a PhD degree in Molecular Science.
‘Molecular Science’ is defined broadly and inclusively as: Research that involves studies at the molecular level.
In this story
Spatial Biology Facility Manager
Reader in BioNano Engineering
Director of Research Talent