CV

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Mechanical Engineering (GPA: 4.0/4.0)
• Research on in vitro models for human developmental biology

Master of Applied Science (MASc)

• Mechanical Engineering (GPA: 3.9/4.0)
• Thesis: An Improved Approach for Optogenetic Locomotion Control of Caenorhabditis elegans

Bachelor of Engineering

• First Class Honours
• Dean’s List

PhD Student Researcher

• Supervisor: Professor Jianping Fu
• Thesis: Synthetic 3D hPSC Models of Peri-Implantation Development
  • Developed biomimetic implantation-like niches for 3D hPSC organoid culture using microfluidics and microfabrication, recapitulating maternal tissue properties.
  • Independently initiated and led three sub-projects, resulting in peer-reviewed publications.

PhD Student Researcher

• Supervisors: Professor Jianping Fu, Professor Cheri Deng
• Neural Differentiation of hPSCs via Acoustic Tweezing Cytometry
  • Contributed to the development of the living soft microrobot RoboWorm using optogenetic control of Caenorhabditis elegans with microfluidic platforms, leading to a Science Robotics publication.
  • Improved system performance by increasing the success rate from 7.1% to 80.77% through creation of a new transgenic C. elegans strain and enhanced control robustness.
  • Collaborated closely with the molecular biology team at Mount Sinai Hospital (Zhen Lab).

MASc Student Researcher

• Supervisor: Professor Xinyu Liu
• Thesis: Optogenetic Locomotion Control of Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Co-developed RoboWorm, a living soft microrobot controlled via optogenetics and microfluidic tools, resulting in a Science Robotics publication.
  • Enhanced locomotion control success rate from 7.1% to 80.77% through genetic and control-system improvements.
  • Worked closely with the molecular biology team at Mount Sinai Hospital (Zhen Lab).

Undergraduate Researcher

• Final-Year Project: Gecko-Inspired Symbiotic Robotic End-Effector
  • Designed and microfabricated a gecko-inspired gripper for delicate object handling using 3D printing and finite element analysis.
  • Led a team of four students (300+ research hours); project awarded the HKUST President’s Cup for outstanding final-year projects.

Undergraduate Student Researcher

• Project: 3D-Printed Devices with Negative Poisson’s Ratio
  • Collaborated with Dr. Lu Wen-Feng and the AM.NUS team to develop auxetic structures for medical protective equipment and soft robotics using advanced 3D printing.

• Young Investigator Award – 8th Bioengineering and Translational Medicine Conference

• UMich Rackham Travel Grant – USD 2,150

• UMich Mechanical Engineering Department Fellowship – USD 89,775
• UofT Barbara and Frank Milligan Fellowship – CAD 10,000

• UofT MIE Department Fellowship – Full Scholarship

• UofT MIE Endowed Fellowship – CAD 3,000

• HKUST President’s Cup – Gold Award

• HKSAR Government Talent Development Scholarship – HKD 10,000

• HKUST Robot Design Contest – Champion

• China National Awarding Program of Future Scientists – Top 100

• China Arts Grade Examination – Piano, Grade 10

Volunteer

• Location: Canada | 100+ volunteer hours
• Communication Circle Leader: Organized 20+ sessions supporting over 100 new immigrants.
• Youth Study Program Mentor & Interpreter: Provided academic and language support for 40 immigrant high school students.

Student Communication Ambassador

• Location: Hong Kong | 300+ volunteer hours
• Advised students on higher education pathways and career development.
• Assisted 10+ students with successful school or job applications.

Communication Representative

• Location: Hong Kong