We are developing new tools based on the latest materials advances to interface with the brain at the single-neuron level with minimum perturbation of the brain’s intrinsic properties and endogenous distribution of cells and molecules. Bio-compatible materials with unique electrical and optical properties offer immense opportunity for us to peek into the inner workings of the brain.
The dichotomy between the material world and the mental world has driven the curiosity of scientists to explore the wonders of the brain, as well as motivated the continued innovations of novel technologies based on advances in materials science and engineering to understand the brain. Based on the beautiful campus of Stanford University, we are excited to apply the latest breakthroughs in physics, chemistry and materials science to elucidate the intricate structures, functions and dynamics of the brain with new tools developed in our lab!
I earned my Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Stanford University under the advice of Professor Hongjie Dai, and a B.Sc. degree in chemistry from Peking University, China under the advice of Professor Limin Qi. I carried out my postdoctoral research under the advice of Professor Charles M. Lieber in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology of Harvard University. I am now an assistant professor of the Stanford Materials Science and Engineering Department and the Stanford Neurosciences Institute, and a recipient of the NIH Pathway to Independence K99/R00 Award (2017-now).