Principal Investigator
Bozhi Tian (田博之)
Professor
Dr. Tian received his Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry from Harvard University in 2010. With a desire to broaden his knowledge in biomedical sciences, Dr. Tian completed a postdoctoral program at both MIT and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Tian is now a professor in the physical chemistry division. His current research focuses on semiconductor-enabled fundamental understanding of subcellular biophysics, the studies of dynamics at the soft-hard interfaces, and nature-inspired systems for translational medicine. He has benefited greatly from working with a remarkable group of dedicated scientists, engineers, and medical doctors. His goal at the University of Chicago is to convey to his students and postdocs the same passion, drive, insight, and work ethic that his mentors instilled in him.
Dr. Tian’s accolades during his independent career include the Raymond and Beverly Sackler International Prize in the Physical Sciences (Physical Chemistry for Biomedical Sciences, 2022), the runner-up of Science & PINS Prize for neuromodulation (2019), inaugural ETH Materials Research Prize for Young Investigators (2017), C&EN’s Talented 12 (2017), Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) (2016), NIH new innovator award (2016), ONR young investigator award (2016), Sloan fellowship (2016), ONR director of research early career award (2015), AFOSR young investigator award (2015), Kavli fellow (2015), NSF CAREER award (2013), Searle Scholar award (2013), and TR35 honoree (2012). Dr. Tian is an elected AIMBE fellow (2024).
Dr. Tian received the 2023 Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentoring from the University of Chicago in recognition of his dedicated efforts in teaching and mentoring. In addition to mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, Dr. Tian has also worked with numerous undergraduate and high school students. The young scientists from the Tian lab have become a Barry Goldwater Scholar, a Stamps Scholar, a Beckman Scholar, an Astronaut Scholar, multiple Science Talent Search (STS) semi-finalists and one STS finalist, and an International Chemistry Olympiad gold medalist.
Dr. Tian serves as an Associate Editor for ACS Nano and NPJ Biomedical Innovation, overseeing manuscripts in bioelectronics, biophysics, and biointerfaces. Dr. Tian also chairs the Board of Campus and Student Life at the University of Chicago.
Outside of the lab, Dr. Tian enjoys various forms of art.
Email: btian@uchicago.edu
Research Staff
Jing Zhang
Postdoctoral scholar
Jing Zhang became a postdoctoral scholar in Prof. Bozhi Tian’s group at the James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, in 2021. She earned her B.S. in 2014 from East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) and her Ph.D. in 2020 from Peking University, where she focused on developing soft electrode arrays for stable electrical and optoelectronic neural interfaces. Currently, she is working on subcellular photoelectroceuticals aimed at treating inflammation and enhancing stress tolerance.
Email: jingzhang1209@uchicago.edu
Chuanwang Yang
Postdoctoral scholar
Chuanwang Yang joined the Tian Lab as a postdoctoral scholar in October 2021. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Science and Technology of China, where he specialized in advanced tools for environmental pollution abatement. His current research focuses on developing technologies for sustainable bioelectronics and robotics, as well as eco-friendly microfabrication. Chuanwang is the recipient of the 2024 Suzuki Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Physical Sciences Division.
Email: chuanwangyang@uchicago.edu
Tiantian Guo
Postdoctoral scholar
Tiantian Guo joined Dr. Tian’s lab as a postdoctoral scholar in January 2023, after earning her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. Her doctoral research focused on developing innovative methods for characterizing sensory afferents in the colorectum, aiming to enhance pain management strategies for patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Currently, at the Tian lab, Tiantian is concentrating on adaptable bioelectronics and robotics for neuroengineering applications.
Email: guot@uchicago.edu
Ananth Kamath
Postdoctoral scholar
Ananth Kamath completed his Ph.D. in the Guyot-Sionnest group at the University of Chicago in August 2023, where he investigated nonradiative relaxation processes in infrared quantum dots. Following his Ph.D., Ananth is transitioning to bioengineering and neuroscience to develop noninvasive methods for stimulating and recording cellular activity in vivo. He is currently working as a temporary postdoc in the Tian group, developing a new bioelectronics system and acquiring biology and bioengineering skills before his next postdoctoral position. Outside the lab, Ananth enjoys cooking, gardening, and singing Indian classical music.
Email: ananthkamath@uchicago.edu
Ji Wan
Postdoctoral scholar
Ji Wan joined Prof. Bozhi Tian’s lab as a postdoctoral scholar in January 2025, following the completion of his Ph.D. (2024) and B.S. (2019) in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems at Peking University. His doctoral research primarily focuses on wireless implantable sensing and energy harvesting using magnetic materials. Currently, his work centers on the development of sensors and stimulators for advancing fundamental science.
Email: jiwan@uchicago.edu
Graduate Students
Pengju Li
Graduate student
Email: pengju@uchicago.edu
Changxu Sun
Graduate student
Changxu earned a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Rice University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. As an undergraduate, he worked with Prof. Rafael Verduzco on developing flexible organic photovoltaics. His current research centers on transforming plant waste into innovative biomaterials and bioelectronic devices, paving the way for sustainable solutions in healthcare applications. Beyond academics, Changxu channels his energy into sports like tennis, rock climbing, and swimming, while also fueling his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and finance, where he aspires to merge innovation with impactful solutions.
Email: changxu@uchicago.edu
Wen Li
Graduate student
Wen Li earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Nanjing University before joining the University of Chicago’s chemistry graduate program in 2021. During his time at Nanjing University, Wen developed an interest in integrating software programming and hardware engineering to enable the practical application of new materials. Currently, his research focuses on developing novel bioelectronics and wireless systems for inflammation treatment. In his free time, Wen enjoys staying active with gym workouts, cycling, and table tennis, while indulging his passion for cooking and entrepreneurship, always seeking opportunities to innovate and make an impact.
Email: wenli@uchicago.edu
Zhe Cheng
Graduate student
Email: zhecheng@uchicago.edu
Saehyun Kim
Graduate student
Saehyun Kim received his B.S. (Hons) in Chemistry from the National University of Singapore and joined the Ph.D. program in Chemistry at the University of Chicago in 2021. During his undergraduate studies, he worked on microbial biohybrid systems for solar fuel synthesis with the Reisner Group at the University of Cambridge. His final year project under Prof. Boon Siang Yeo focused on the electrochemical reduction of glycerol into bio-based feedstock. Currently, he is working on living bioelectronics and developing microbial bioelectrical study platforms. In his free time, Saehyun is an avid fingerstyle guitarist, street musician, and YouTube music creator. He also enjoys watching films, exercising, cooking, and traveling.
Email: saehyun@uchicago.edu
Megan Laune
Graduate student
Megan received her B. S. in Biochemistry with honors from Indiana University in 2022, and is pursuing a Ph. D in chemistry. During her undergraduate studies in Dr. Yan Yu’s Lab, she focused on the fusion interactions of cationic liposomes with gram-negative bacteria and the correlating antibacterial properties to address antibiotic resistant infections. Outside of the lab, she enjoys oil painting, watching TV (especially animated sitcoms), and taking walks with her dog, Frankie.
Email: mlaune@uchicago.edu
Vanessa Tian
Graduate student
Vanessa Tian is a graduate student from Canada who hopes to one day obtain a Ph.D. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from UC San Diego where she studied the role of aromatic structures in long range electron transfer under Dr. Judy Kim. She is a big fan of public transportation, clean laundry, doing yoga, and long road trips.
Email: vtian@uchicago.edu
Guangqing Yang
Graduate student
Guangqing earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University and began his graduate studies in Chemistry at the University of Chicago in 2024. While at Peking University, he focused on developing instrumentation and programming for a commercially available one-station-solution HPLC instrument. He also completed an undergraduate thesis—under the guidance of Prof. Junrong Zheng—that explored ultrafast kinetic behavior of organic compounds using spectroscopic techniques. Outside the lab, Guangqing enjoys diving into history, with a particular interest in Eastern European and Balkan topics. He’s also an avid fan of anime and movies, especially the works of Tarkovsky and Kon.
Email: guangqing@uchicago.edu
Yuze Zheng
Graduate student
Yuze earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University and joined the Chemistry graduate program at UChicago in 2024. He joined the group in 2025 with an interest in bioelectronics. During his undergraduate studies, he studied electrocatalysis and thermal catalysis under the guidance of Prof. Bingjun Xu, with an emphasis on solar fuel production. Outside of his academic pursuits, Yuze regularly visits the gym, hoping to improve his physical fitness and overall health. He also has a deep passion for photography and travel—seeking unique perspectives and sources of inspiration for creativity.
Email: yuzezheng@uchicago.edu
Undergraduate Students