Members
Principal Investigator
Zhimin Huang, PhD
2025-Now Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh, PA
Department of Neurological Surgery
Department of Bioengineering — Secondary Appointment
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Rice University & University of Washington
Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Visiting Graduate Student, Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto
B.Eng., Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University
Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Scholars
Yunlei Zhang, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Yunlei earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Stony Brook University, where her research focused on developing spatiotemporally controlled enzymatic tools for neural circuit tracing. She is passionate about neuroscience and aims to further investigate neurodegenerative diseases and brain function. As a postdoctoral fellow, she is developing SONAR (Site-specific, Noninvasive, RNA-guided Cell-fate Regulation), a novel approach for treating diffuse midline glioma. Outside the lab, Yunlei enjoys reading and photography.
Vivian Li, MD, PhD
Visiting Scholar
Vivian is a physician-scientist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with extensive clinical expertise and broad research interests in neurodegenerative disorders. She is developing noninvasive, spatiotemporal gene therapies for PD. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, dancing, and singing.
Hongchao Zhao, MD, PhD
Visiting Scholar
Hongchao is a surgeon with expertise in gastrointestinal cancer, specializing in its diagnosis and treatment. His research interests include inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer metastasis. He is currently developing noninvasive therapies for brain disorders related to gut-brain interactions. Outside of work, he enjoys playing video games and basketball.
Zhiqi Shi, PhD
Visiting Scholar
Zhiqi is a pharmacist specializing in pharmaceutics and pharmacology. His research focuses on the pharmacology and mechanisms of action of Chinese herbal compounds. He is currently developing programmable, ultrasound-leveraged, site-specific neuropeptides. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, including badminton.
Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Zigang Wu
Bioengineering PhD Student
Zigang is a PhD student in Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh and earned his M.S. in Bioengineering from Rice University. His research focuses on developing a novel platform, Synthetic Acoustic Biomolecular Actuators for Regulation (SABER), to enable noninvasive, spatiotemporal control of a broad spectrum of endogenous cellular processes. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball and hiking.
Michael Edwards
Bioengineering Master’s Student
Michael is a Master’s student in Bioengineering (Research Track – Thesis) at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2025. His research will focus on developing BrainFUS Atlas, a bioinformatics platform designed to advance focused ultrasound–based brain therapies.
Outside of academics, Michael enjoys drawing, playing the piano, and chess.
Fanchao Meng
Visiting Master’s Student
Fanchao is majoring in Neurosurgery and is developing programmable, ultrasound-leveraged, site-specific exosomes for drug delivery. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and cooking.
Lilly Ann Schultz
Research Intern
Lilly is a junior majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology at Washington & Jefferson College. She will be working on the development of novel site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of neurological disorders. Lilly enjoys spending her free time reading, skiing, and going to the gym.
Cindy Xing
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Cindy is a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Cindy enjoys playing badminton with friends in her free time.
Zheye (Ethan) Zhang
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ethan is a junior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, he is developing molecular tools for real-time monitoring of endogenous biomolecules in living cells. Outside of academics, Ethan enjoys traveling, listening to music, and playing table tennis.
Xianglong Dai
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Xianglong is a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, he applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for brain disorders. Beyond academics, he enjoys video games, puzzle-solving, reading, playing the violin, and engaging in conversations with kind strangers.
Junlin Li
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Junlin is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate research assistant, he applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for treating brain disorders. Outside of academics, Junlin enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and skateboarding.
Zayna Jatker
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Zayna is a freshman majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Outside of academics, Zayna enjoys snowboarding and spending time with friends.
Tanvi Akunuri
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Tanvi is a freshman majoring in Public Health with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Outside of academics, Tanvi enjoys painting, playing badminton, video games such as Mario Kart, and going out to eat with friends.
Ziyu (Zonda) Ding
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Zonda is a freshman majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, he applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Outside of academics, Zonda enjoys soccer and dancing.
Divya Karne
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Divya is a sophomore majoring in Natural Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she works with focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Outside of academics, she enjoys crocheting, reading, and spending time with her friends.
Yuexuan Niu
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Yuexuan is a sophomore considering majors in Neuroscience and Computer Science at the University of Pittsburgh. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant, she works with focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Outside of academics, she enjoys stargazing, observing nature, and listening to music.
Ekua Kwakwa
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Ekua is a sophomore majoring in Bioengineering with a minor in Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate research assistant, she applies focused ultrasound and protein engineering to develop noninvasive, site-specific therapeutics for the treatment of brain disorders. Outside of academics, Ekua enjoys baking, reading, and gardening.