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 is an Associate Editor at ACS Nano, where he handles areas such as biotechnology, 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
Jiping Yue
Senior scientist
Dr. Jiping Yue is a research scientist specializing in biomedical engineering. He graduated from Tsinghua University and Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Before joining the University of Chicago, Jiping worked at the World Health Organization (WHO). He brings years of interdisciplinary experience in molecular and cellular biology, clinical research, and virology. At UChicago, Jiping has been honored with the National PKU Alliance’s Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) award from the Hope Fund. He has also received the Outstanding Senior Scientist Award from the Chemistry Department.
Email: jipingyue@uchicago.edu
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
Graduate Students
Pengju Li
Graduate student
Pengju Li received his B.Eng. in Materials Science & Engineering from the National University of Singapore before joining the graduate program in PME at the University of Chicago in 2020. He focused on skin-like sensortronics for robotics and human-machine interfaces in Prof. Benjamin Tee’s group. Pengju coined the term “photoelectroceuticals” and currently works on neuromorphic photoelectrochemical systems for biomodulation. He received the Harper Dissertation Fellowship, and won the Grier Prize for Innovative Research in Biophysical Science. Outside the lab, he is a violinist, table tennis player, and avid angler.
Email: pengju@uchicago.edu
Changxu Sun
Graduate student
Changxu earned a B.S. degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, with a minor in Mathematics, from Rice University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During his undergraduate studies, he worked with Prof. Rafael Verduzco on developing flexible organic photovoltaics. His current research focuses on creating plant-derived biomaterials and bioelectronic devices for healthcare applications. Outside of his academic pursuits, Changxu is passionate about sports, including tennis, rock climbing, and swimming.
Email: changxu@uchicago.edu
Wen Li
Graduate student
Wen Li earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Nanjing University, where he researched functional polymeric materials based on coordination bonds. He joined 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 exercising at the gym, cycling, playing table tennis, and cooking.
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
Undergraduate Students