Rao Lab

   Siyuan Rao

Dr. Siyuan Rao obtained her Ph.D in Materials Physics and Chemistry with Prof. Yan Xiang at Beihang University in 2015. Her graduate research focused on the development of bio-hybrid photoelectric devices and electronics. Dr. Rao began her postdoctoral research in neuroengineering and bioelectronics in Prof. Polina Anikeeva’s laboratory at MIT in 2016. During her postdoc career, Dr. Rao, with her colleagues, invented the chemomagnetic technique. She has been a Simons Postdoctoral Fellow from 2016 to 2018 with the co-supervision of Profs. Polina Anikeeva and Guoping Feng at MIT. She is a recipient of NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00, 2019-2024), BBRF Young Investigator Award (2022), NSF CAREER award (2023), and AFOSR Young Investigator Award (2023).

Dr. Siyuan Rao started the Assistant Professor position and opened Neurobiological Interfaces Laboratory (NBI Lab) in December of 2020. In the Department of Biomedical Engineering, she teaches BME 486-586 Neuroengineering course in spring semesters. She has been named a Scholarly Teaching Fellow 2024 in recognition of demonstrated commitment to undergraduate education by Evidence-Based Teaching Institute of Binghamton University. 

In her free time, Dr. Rao likes exploring the hiking sites in the Binghamton areas and spending time in her small gardening projects.

   Sizhe Huang

Sizhe received his B.E. in Materials Processing and Control Engineering at Northeastern University (China) in 2016, and M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering at West Virginia University in 2018. Before joining the NBI lab, he has various experiences in materials development. His research focused on the development of immunoassays for early cancer screening. His research interest includes developing optical probes and integrated devices for neural activity recording. In his spare time, he likes playing tennis, hiking, cycling, and listening to symphony music.

   Eunji Hong

Eunji Hong received her B.S. in Nano-Bioengineering at Incheon National University (South Korea) in 2016, and also received M.S. in the same college in 2018. Before joining the NBI lab, she has focused on stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems. Eunji is particularly interested in non-viral gene delivery carriers development for neurobiological diseases and the mechanism of gene delivery in nervous systems. She likes watching Netflix, hiking, and hanging out with friends in her spare time.

   Ruobai Xiao

Ruobai received his B.E. in Dyeing and Finishing Chemical Engineering at Donghua University(China) in 2020, his first M.S. in Textile Technology at Manchester University (UK) in 2021, and his second M.S. in Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell University. Before joining the NBI lab he has various experiences in functional textile and color management. His research interest is in developing flexible neural probes and designing multifunctional wearable devices. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, working out, photographing, and apparel designing.

   Xinxin Xu

Xinxin received a bachelor's degree in Applied Chemical Engineering from Suzhou University of Science and Technology in 2018, and worked in China for three years after graduation. Received a master's degree in materials science and engineering from Boston University in 2023. He has experience in organic synthesis and materials development. Research interests include organic chemistry, bioassays, optical materials. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, learning traditional Chinese food, watching movies, playing video games, and participating in outdoor sports with his friends.

   Dorcas Matuwana

Dorcas obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Midwestern State University situated in Wichita Falls, Texas. Her academic journey began with diverse engagements in drug delivery and the realm of 3D tissue fabrication. Within this context, her research assessed the influence of circadian rhythms on skin tissue regeneration. In her present academic pursuit, Dorcas is affiliated with the Neuromechanics Laboratory, where her research interests have transitioned towards investigating lentivirus as a vector for gene editing to treat glaucoma. Beyond her academic commitments, Dorcas derives personal fulfillment from recreational activities such as playing tennis, socializing with friends, travelling internationally, and buying colognes and perfumes. 

Geunho Jang

Geunho Jang completed his undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering from Mokwon University (South Korea) in 2016. Before joining the Neurobiological Interfaces lab, he accrued over two years of valuable industrial experience specializing in quality control for automatic equipment used in smartphone and tablet PC manufacturing. His research interests center around the development of wireless contact lenses for the detection of intraocular pressure and electroretinogram related to retinal pathological diseases. He is particularly focused on employing unbiased data analysis techniques in his work and in charge of in vitro cell culture relevant to AAV packaging. Outside of research, he enjoys weight training and playing mobile games during his leisure time. 

   Zuer Wu

Zuer Wu is an undergraduate student majoring in biology who is expected to graduate in the spring of 2024. She will start her master's in biomedical engineering in the Rao lab. Zuer has experience researching fruit flies’ learning and memory in taste. Her current research interests lie in neuroscience and developing flexible neural probes. She enjoys working out, socializing with friends, and making crafts in her free time. 

   Chen Lin

Chen Lin is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology, with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2024. Prior to their involvement with the NBI lab, Chen's research primarily centered on biofilm drug tolerance, specifically investigating the role of FleQ in the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Outside of their academic pursuits, Chen enjoys watching television dramas and playing video games with friends. 

   Sandra Lwin

CSandra is an undergraduate Biomedical Engineering student with concentrations in Biopharmaceuticals and Biomedical Instrumentations. She has experience with coding, product managing, and 3D modeling. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of plants, learning new things, and playing games with friends.