Welcome to the Chen Ultrasound Laboratory! Our mission is to advance the field of NeuroSonics by integrating breakthroughs in neuroscience and ultrasonics to develop noninvasive ultrasound technologies that deepen our understanding of brain function and transform the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases.
Our team is searching for graduate students, postdocs, technicians, or staff scientists from diverse scientific backgrounds. For further details on this opportunity, please email Dr. Chen at hongchen@wustl.edu.
Recent news
The Chen Lab 2024 Retreat Experience
For their 2024 retreat, the Chen Lab visited Spring Lake Ranch in Potosi, MO. Immersed in the beauty and serenity of nature, the team participated in collaborative, team-building activities designed to foster innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen relationships within our research group. The retreat was filled with thrilling adventure, from hiking at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State […]
Yimei Yue receives ‘Making a Difference’ award
Yimei Yue, the Chen lab’s highly regarded Research Laboratory Supervisor, recently received the ‘Making a Difference’ award. This award is presented to individuals within WashU’s Department of Neurosurgery who exemplify qualities such as teamwork, initiative, compassion, and exceeding expectations. Yimei received this award because “her exceptional dedication and unwavering support has been instrumental in the […]
Dingyue Zhang receives ISP Fellowship Award
Doris (Dingyue) Zhang was recently selected to receive the Imaging Sciences Pathway (ISP) Trainee Fellowship Award. ISP is a graduate fellowship program within WashU’s Imaging Sciences program, which offers diverse, multidisciplinary opportunities. The ISP Trainee Fellowship Award is given to students who demonstrate potential to contribute to building a strong community of innovative, bright, and […]
Andrew Stark is accepted into the CVISE Training Program
Congratulations to Andrew Stark for being accepted into the prestigious CardioVascular Research Innovation in Surgery & Engineering (CVISE) Training Program! This program is a 24-month program that aims to unify engineers and clinicians on research topics related to cardiovascular disease. For the program duration, Andrew will participate in multi-disciplinary research, as well as CVISE-sponsored programs […]
Dr. Yaoheng Yang receives an Assistant Professor position from USC
Congratulations to Dr. Yaoheng Yang! He will start his faculty position as an Assistant Professor at the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) of the University of Southern California on 1/1/2025. Check out his cool lab website: Yang BioAcoustic Lab
The Wall Street Journal’s podcast features sonobiopsy
Drs. Hong Chen and Eric Leuthardt discuss sonobiopsy on The Wall Street Journal’s podcast. They explained how it works and how it can benefit patients. Dr. Elisa Knofagou, who was Dr. Chen’s postdoc advisor when she was at Columbia University, is also featured. Here is the link to the podcast and a brief description: WSJ’s […]
Dr. Chen receives the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award
Congratulations to Dr. Chen on receiving the 2024 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award! This award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate exceptional mentorship to trainees. Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award (OFMA) | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs | Washington University in St. Louis (wustl.edu)
AhSonogenetics: a new frontier in brain neuromodulation
The Chen team, led by Yaoheng Yang and former postdoc Zhongtao Hu, has recently developed a new technology called Airy-beam holographic sonogenetics, or AhSonogenetics. This revolutionary technology utilizes the Airy beam-enabled binary acoustic metasurface (AB-BAMs) to acoustically modulate neurons. AB-BAMs is a 3D-printed holographic device that can flexibly manipulate ultrasound beams. The use of AB-BAMs […]
Dingyue wins ASA Student Poster Competition
Congratulations to Dingyue (Doris) Zhang for placing 2nd in the Student Poster Competition at the 186th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). She received this award for her poster presentation on the ‘Evaluation of sonobiopsy feasibility and safety in a mouse model of diffusive intrinsic pontine glioma’. Amazing job Dingyue!
Our drug delivery work featured by NIH NIBIB
In 2023, the Chen lab, led by graduate student Siaka Fadera, demonstrated noninvasive delivery of an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) to the brain using focused ultrasound combined with microbubbles. This study was performed in a large animal model and demonstrated the feasibility and safety of opening the blood brain barrier using focused ultrasound to deliver […]