Members
Principal Investigator
Zhimin Huang, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
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
huangz@pitt.edu
Profile on the department's website
Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Scholars
Yunlei Zhang, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Yunlei is completing her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Stony Brook University, where her research focuses on developing spatiotemporally controlled enzymatic tools for neural circuit tracing. She is passionate about neuroscience and aims to further investigate neurodegenerative diseases and the brain. As a postdoctoral fellow, she will work on developing a novel real-time cell monitoring technology to advance both basic research and translational applications. 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, with extensive clinical expertise and broad research interests in neurodegenerative disorders. She is developing noninvasive therapies to address these conditions. 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.
Bowen Sun, MD, PhD
Visiting Scholar
Bowen is a neurological surgeon focused on diagnosing and treating ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular diseases. He has extensive experience in both clinical and basic research and is developing non-invasive therapies for these conditions. In his spare time, he enjoys watching live sports events.
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 noninvasive therapies for epilepsy. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, including badminton.
Graduate and Undergraduate Students
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 a bioinformatics platform for focused ultrasound applications in brain therapies. Outside of academics, Michael enjoys drawing, playing the piano, and chess.
Lilly Ann Schultz
Summer 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.
Lab Alumni
Sydney Lang
Merck Scholar Research Intern
Sydney is a senior at Washington & Jefferson College, majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Psychology and Chemistry. As a Merck Scholar Research Intern, she is integrating focused ultrasound with protein engineering to develop long-term, noninvasive, and site-specific therapeutic delivery strategies for treating brain disorders. Beyond her academic pursuits, Sydney enjoys reading, painting, drawing, and listening to music.
Yuchen Li, MD, PhD
Visiting Scholar
Yuchen is a neurosurgeon dedicated to diagnosing and treating cerebrovascular diseases through neurointerventional approaches. His research explores the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies for hemorrhagic stroke. Recently, he has been investigating non-invasive ultrasound-assisted therapeutic delivery to improve cognitive dysfunction following hemorrhagic stroke. Outside of work, Yuchen enjoys traveling, hiking, and shopping.