Dr Xin Liu is a Research Fellow and Pharmacokinetic Analyst with the Antimicrobial Optimisation Team and the Centre of Research Excellence: Optimising and Personalising Antimicrobial Dosing to Reduce Resistance (CRE RESPOND) at the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR).
An expert in both population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling, Dr Liu leads a research portfolio focused on improving drug therapy outcomes across vulnerable patient populations.
Her work is particularly critical in the field of antibiotic dosing in critically ill patients, where standard regimens often fail due to altered physiology. By using population pharmacokinetics and model-informed precision dosing strategies, her research provides a data-driven framework to optimise antimicrobial therapy in intensive care settings. These efforts have direct implications for patient survival, reduction in antimicrobial resistance, and cost-effective care. By identifying the right dose for the right patient at the right time, Dr Liu’s models help clinicians navigate the complex and dynamic pharmacokinetic changes seen in critical illness — such as augmented renal clearance, fluid shifts, and altered protein binding.
Dr Liu is also recognised for her contributions to dermal PBPK modelling, having collaborated with the US FDA to develop regulatory science tools supporting the approval of generic dermatological products. This work helps the pharmaceutical industry overcome challenges in demonstrating bioequivalence for complex formulations without the need for costly and time-intensive clinical endpoint studies.
Originally from China, Dr Liu completed a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) at Peking University and earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the National University of Singapore. Dr Liu was introduced to pharmacokinetic modelling during her PhD by her supervisor, Professor Ho Chi Liu, and pursued this passion further by joining Professor Michael Roberts' research group at UQ in 2006, where she expanded her expertise in hepatic pharmacokinetics and skin absorption; one of her most memorable experiences to date was obtaining a competitive NHMRC project grant together with Professor Michael Roberts on physiologically-based pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic stem cells.
In 2022, she joined the CRE RESPOND team to continue her interest in population pharmacokinetic modelling and expand her knowledge on Monte Carlo Simulation for dosing optimisation.
Outside of her research, Dr Liu enjoys swimming, reading, and cooking Chinese food. A mother of two, she continues to balance her professional and personal commitments with dedication and enthusiasm. Her advice to future researchers: “Find and work on the research area you have a passion for.”
Dr Liu is a much-valued member of our diverse and international team, and we thank her for her continued contributions, of which there are many.
“Pharmacokinetic modelling is more than just numbers — it’s about improving therapeutic outcomes. My goal is to make drug therapies more precise and equitable.” — Dr Xin Liu
