Dr. Hong Chen has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature. This prestigious Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature honors early- to mid-career researchers whose innovative work stands to drive transformative advances in technology and make a meaningful impact on society. As one of only eight […]
On Friday, October 10, 2025, the Siteman Cancer Center hosted its 6th Annual Siteman Cancer Research Symposium at WashU Medicine. The symposium brought together researchers across multiple disciplines, showcasing cancer-related research from basic science, pre-clinical, clinical, and public health studies. At this year’s symposium, the lab’s esteemed senior scientist, Dr. Jinyun Yuan, presented her work […]
The 2025 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IEEE IUS 2025) was held from September 15–18, 2025 in Utrecht, Netherlands. At the conference, Chinwe Chukwu presented an oral talk titled “Fully Noninvasive and Flexible Sonogenetic Neuromodulation in the Rodent Brain.” Her work focuses on evaluating the use of capsid-engineered viruses to noninvasively deliver acoustic-sensitive actuators to the […]
The WashU McKelvey School of Engineering’s BME PhD retreat, held on September 12, 2025, featured a spirited Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Sarah Zhang placed second with her talk, “Focused Ultrasound (FUS) Unlocking the Brain’s Immune Connections.” The 3MT competition challenges PhD students to explain their research in a clear and concise way, having only […]
From September 11–13, 2025, the Chen Ultrasound Lab gathered at Osage Beach for our annual team-building retreat. Lodged in a beautiful lakeside home overlooking the Ozarks, the team spent quality time connecting over shared passions for food, nature, and science. This year’s retreat theme was “Grant Writing – From Idea to Specific Aims.” During the […]
Congratulations to Dingyue Zhang, who has been named a recipient of the 2025 Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) from the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). Dingyue’s potential as an emerging leader in neuroscience research, as demonstrated by the strength of her application, has earned her this award. Through the TPDA, Dingyue will gain valuable opportunities for […]
We’re pleased to share that Kevin Xu has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) from the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). This competitive award recognizes the merit and strength of Kevin’s application and supports his continued growth as a neuroscience researcher. The TPDA provides promising trainees with professional development […]
While some animals naturally enter torpor—a state of reduced body temperature and metabolic rate—replicating this phenomenon safely and noninvasively in nonhibernating species has remained elusive… until now. Hong Chen and her team have developed the first noninvasive method to induce a reversible, torpor-like state by using focused ultrasound to stimulate the central nervous system. By […]
Today, July 1st, 2025, marks Dr. Hong Chen’s promotion to Professor at Washington University in St. Louis. This milestone coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Chen Ultrasound Lab. The lab celebrates Dr. Chen’s remarkable leadership, vision, and dedication, which have shaped a decade of extraordinary innovation and impact. We look forward to seeing what […]
WashU’s McKelvey School of Engineering recently released the Spring 2025 issue of their Momentum magazine, featuring the Chen Ultrasound Lab as the cover story. The article, titled “Wonderland,” highlights the lab’s pioneering work to develop noninvasive approaches for studying and treating the brain using focused ultrasound. In the feature, Dr. Hong Chen shared, “We can […]
The Focused Ultrasound (FUS) Foundation recently released an expert profile highlighting Dr. Hong Chen. The Foundation’s expert profiles showcase individuals—from researchers to clinicians and manufacturers—who are pioneering innovative research and applications in the field of focused ultrasound. Dr. Chen’s feature details how she founded the Chen Ultrasound Laboratory in 2015 and grew it into a […]
Andrew Stark, a PhD candidate in Hong Chen’s lab, recently attended the 24th Annual International Symposium for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU) in Banff, Canada, where he received the Best Poster Award. Andrew attended the conference as recipient of the student award oral presentation. During the symposium, he delivered both an oral and poster presentation on his […]
On May 21st, 2025, Dr. Hong Chen was named a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to focused ultrasound in the brain. Since joining WashU in 2015, Dr. Chen has led innovative research that has shaped the emerging field of NeuroSonics, including the advancement of noninvasive ultrasound technologies […]
On March 20th, 2025, research from the Chen Ultrasound Lab was spotlighted in Neurology Today, the official news outlet of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). The article highlights the lab’s cutting-edge technology for noninvasively targeting and modulating brain activity: Airy-beam holographic sonogenetics (AhSonogenetics). AhSonogenetics combines focused ultrasound with acoustic holography, bending sound waves to […]
On January 22, 2025, the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) hosted a webinar titled Neuroscience Techniques: Ultrasound and the Brain. Among the featured speakers was Dr. Hong Chen, who provided valuable insights into the use of ultrasound technology in neuroscience research. During the webinar, Dr. Chen, along with other leading experts, discussed cutting-edge applications of ultrasound […]
On December 2nd, 2024, Dr. Hong Chen was honored with the prestigious Provost’s Research Excellence Recognition, an award given to exemplary faculty members across WashU for their cutting-edge, creative, and innovative research. Dr. Chen was nominated by leaders across the institution in recognition of her scholarly contributions and the transformative impact of her research. This […]
The Chen Ultrasound Lab wrapped up the year in style with their annual holiday celebration on December 19th, 2024. The event was a perfect blend of laughter, bonding, and delicious food. Lab members indulged in a festive feast from Kate Zone, followed by a delightful treat of bubble tea for dessert. The celebration was filled […]
Dr. Hong Chen recently received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Pioneer Award, a highly competitive and prestigious award supporting “High Risk, High Reward” research. She is one of only eight recipients nationwide, securing $5.4 million to fund her work. The grant will support her research on using ultrasound to induce a hibernation-like state […]
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, 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 […]