Qian Zhao obtained her PhD in chemistry from University of Hong Kong and completed her postdoctoral training at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) . At Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Qian leads a research team dedicated to chemical proteomics and peptidomics, with a particular focus on peptides translated from small open reading frames (sORFs) and their presentation on cell membrane surfaces via MHC complexes. Her publications include articles in Nature Communications, Analytical Chemistry (AC), and Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). Her contributions to peptidomics have been recognised with the awards "Rising Star in Proteomics and Metabolomics" in 2024 by Journal of Proteome Research and "Rising Star in Mass Spectrometry" in 2021 by American Society for Mass Spectrometry. In the scientific community, Qian serves as an editorial board member for Molecular and Cellular Proteomics (MCP) and a council member of Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO).