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 […]
Our lab at Washington University in St. Louis is excited to expand our team with multiple new positions! About the Role Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate & Staff ScientistLab: Chen Ultrasound Lab, affiliated with the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and NeurosurgeryLocation: Washington University in St. LouisFunding: NIH Pioneer Award In this position, you’ll play a crucial […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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)
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 […]
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!
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 […]
Congratulations to an esteemed member of the lab, Chih-Yen Chien, for receiving her doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering! Chih-Yen defended her thesis, titled ‘Passive Acoustic Detection for Focused Ultrasound Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening: Transitioning from Mice to Pigs to Humans’, on April 18th. Chih-Yen was also selected as a winner of the BME Outstanding Dissertation […]
Congratulations to one of our lab’s brilliant and talented members, Lu Xu, for receiving his doctorate degree in Biomedical Engineering! Lu defended his thesis, titled ‘Develop and Optimize Clinical System of Focused Ultrasound-enabled Liquid Biopsy (Sonobiopsy) for Brain Cancer Diagnosis’, on April 24th and received outstanding remarks from his peers and mentors. Lu will go […]
Dr. Hong Chen and her team have been utilizing focused ultrasound with microbubbles to open the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery or biomarker retrieval, but lacked a strategy to ensure the safety and consistency of their treatment. To address this, the team, which includes doctoral student Chih-Yen Chien, developed a quality assurance strategy that incorporates […]
Dr. Hong Chen has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). She is being recognized as an academic inventor and emerging leader in her field, who has demonstrated achievements in patents, licensing and commercialization and has produced “technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare […]