(4hx) Polymeric materials for biomedical applications

I earned my PhD in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering from the University of Akron under Prof. Stephen ZD Cheng (NAE). My graduate research focused on synthesizing macromolecules with precisely controlled heterogeneities (including composition, functionality, topology, and sequence), and studying their self-assembled structures in bulk and solution (including conventional and unconventional structures, such Frank-Kasper A15, Sigma, and quasicrystal phases). This training gave me a strong background in polymer chemistry and physics, enabling me to engineer polymeric materials with tailored properties.

My postdoctoral work at BCH HMS, mentored by Prof. Daniel S Kohane and co-mentored by Prof. Robert S Langer, involved elaborating polymeric materials for biomedical applications. I was introduced to biomaterials and vertebrate animal models. One of my research centered on the externally triggered release of local anesthetics. I tackled the problem (in previous approaches of triggered drug release) of basal drug release from the perspective of material chemistry. In addition, I have designed and synthesized polymeric materials for application as tissue adhesives. My postdoctoral training has given me experience in drug delivery and biomaterials.

In summary, my previous research experiences were broad in polymers, drug delivery and biomaterials. I have authored 40+ publications (20 as the first/corresponding authors), 3 patents/applications (1 licensed). My experience has prepared me for my future independent research.

My future group will conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersection of polymer science & engineering and biomedical engineering. “Novel polymeric materials for biomedical application” will be the overall theme of my group. At the early stage of my career, my group will focus on the following topics.

Triggered drug delivery: Millions of people are affected by chronic and acute pain. Opioids are pain medications commonly prescribed. Their widespread use leads to a high prevalence of diversion to abuse. I will build upon my experience with stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems and polymer materials to develop injectable systems for triggerable opioid delivery. The system will provide opioid analgesia only when triggered by a stimulus.

Fuctional tissue adhesives: Tissue adhesives have advantages over sutures, such as convenience and good sealing, and have been used as alternatives to sutures. Stimuli-responsive polymers can also be useful in adhesives. Due to their irreversible crosslinking reactions with tissue, the adhesives are often difficult to reposition during application, or remove after placement. Removal of undesired adhesives could be painful. There is a need for a tissue adhesive with robust mechanical properties that can be conveniently and non-invasively removed. I plan to develop novel tissue adhesives with polymeric networks that can degrade upon irradiation with light. Furthermore, we will leverage the properties of the adhesives to make drug-eluting tissue adhesives for pain relief, inflammation reduction and scar reduction to improve wound healing. In this way, the materials can be conveniently removed by irradiation with light, the drug-eluting properties can improve wound healing.

In summary, my future research will be at the interface between polymer science & Engineering and biomedical engineering, uniquely combining my expertise. These projects will have rich potential support sources, such as NIH (NIGMS, NIBIB, NIDA), NSF (DMR POL, DMR BMAT).

Teaching Interests.

The opportunity to teach and work with students in the classroom and lab is one of the important reasons for me to seek an academic position. I am strongly committed to teach undergraduate and graduate courses. And I will adapt according to the needs of my future institute.

I have been a teaching assistant for the Laboratory of Polymer Science at Akron and Pharmacology and Drug Delivery at HMS. When I was a senior graduate student, I mentored several master students and junior PhD candidates. As a postdoc, I also have had the opportunity to mentor undergraduate students and visiting students. I have led research projects from ideation to realization for others, which is reflected in my three corresponding authored papers. I had a pleasant time mentoring the students. In addition, I have actively participated in workshops related to teaching and mentoring. Those processes gave me valuable experience for teaching and launching my future lab.

I believe that teaching is not just delivering the knowledge but also encouraging students’ critical thinking and problem-solving, and I will try my best to motivate my students and guide them to be self-motivated. In class, I believe students should be participants rather than just listeners. Studies showed that active learning could increase student performance in science and engineering. I will try to encourage students to be involved in activities and discussions in the class.

Mentoring students in the lab is also a critical part of teaching. Based on my previous experience, I believe guiding the direction and fostering the students’ ability to solve problems is vital. I think that “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Since each student has different goals, it is important to tailor mentoring according to their needs and situations. I will apply the individualized development plan for their progress on research and career development.

In addition, I believe diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a core value that every faculty member should actively contribute to. I will continually pursue efforts to enhance DEI and do my best to promote underrepresented groups in STEM.

In summary, no matter my students will ever choose an academic career or others, they will all leave my classes and/or lab with the knowledge that can benefit their careers. I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm to motivate a new generation of students.