Si Chen

Si Chen

Stacie Chen is currently a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. She was a Post-doc fellow in the Chen Ultrasound Lab from 2019-2022. She received her Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For her doctoral thesis, she developed a multiplexed quantitative nanosensor to measure cell membrane proteins that are involved in blood vessel formation. Her current projects include understanding the biological mechanisms of blood-brain barrier disruption induced by focused ultrasound and micro-bubbles. This deeper examination of how ultrasound and brain vessels interact should bring new insights on how to develop new, safer treatments for brain tumors. In addition to research, Stacie loves teaching and mentoring students, and has mentored over 20 undergraduate students throughout her PhD. In her free time, Stacie likes to cook, spend time with friends and her cat “Poose”, and read books on a wide range of topics.

Academic qualifications:

  • Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Urbana, IL), 2018
  • M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Rochester (Rochester, NY), 2013
  • B.Eng., Electronic, Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Birmingham (Birmingham, United Kingdom), 2011
  • B.S., Physics/Optics, Fudan University (Shanghai, China), 2011

Awards:

  • Poster Award, Gordon Research Seminar (Angiogenesis); 2019
  • BMES Career Development Award; 2018
  • Excellent Teaching Assistant, UIUC; 2016, 2017
  • Individualizing Medicine Conference Scholarship, Brandt Family Scholars Fund, Mayo Clinic; 2016

Publications:

  • Rubin JR, Lagas JS†, Broestl L†, Sponagel J†, Rockwell N†, Rhee G†, Rosen S†, Chen S†, Klein RS, Imoukhuede PI, Luo J† (2020) Sex Differences in Cancer Mechanisms. Biology of Sex Differences, 11(1), pp.1-29. †Authors contributed equally to this review.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2019). Single-cell receptor quantification of an in vitro co-culture angiogenesis model reveals VEGFR, NRP1, Tie2, and PDGFR regulation and endothelial heterogeneity. Processes, 7 (6): 356.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2019). Multiplexing angiogenic receptor quantification via quantum dots. Analytical Chemistry, 91 (12): 7603-7612.
  • Ansari A, Schultheis K, Patel R, Al-Qadi KI, Chen S, Jensen CR, Schad SR, Weddell JC, Vanka SP, Imoukhuede PI (2019). Cell isolation via spiral microfluidics and the secondary anchor targeted cell release system. AIChE Journal. 65:e16844. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16844.
  • Chen S, Le T, & Imoukhuede PI (2018). Characterizing glioblastoma heterogeneity via single-cell receptor quantification. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 6 (92).
  • Weddell JC, Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2018). Integrative modeling of VEGFR1 post-translational modifications predicts site-specific phosphorylation as essential to migration. npj Systems Biology and Applications, 4 (1): 1.
  • Mamer S, Chen S, Weddell JC, Palasz A, Wittenkeller A, Kumar M & Imoukhuede PI (2017). Discovery of high-affinity PDGF-VEGFR interactions: Redefining RTK dynamics. Scientific Reports, (7) 1: 16439.
  • Chen S, Guo X, Imarenezor O & Imoukhuede PI (2015).Quantification of VEGFRs, NRP1, and PDGFRs on endothelial cells and fibroblasts reveals serum, intra-family ligand, and cross-family ligand regulation. Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, 8 (3): 383–403.
  • Chen S, Ansari A, Sterrett W, Hurley K, Kemball J, Weddell JC & Imoukhuede PI (2014). Current State-of-the-Art and Future Directions in Systems Biology. Progress and Communication in Sciences, 1 (1): 12-26.
  • Chen S, Weddell JC, Gupta P, et al. (2017). qFlow cytometry-based receptoromic screening: a high-throughput quantification approach informing biomarker selection and nanosensor development. Methods Mol. Biol. New York, NY: Springer New York, pp. 117-138.   

Oral presentations:

  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2019). Single-cell RTK Quantification Unravels Glioblastoma Heterogeneity via Correlations between Plasma Membrane VEGFR1 Concentrations and Tumor Invasiveness. Mayo PDX Meeting. Phoenix, AZ.
  • Fang Yingye, Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2019). A Pilot Study: Characterizing Upregulation of VEGF Receptors in Obese Adipose Tissues via Single-Cell Proteomic Analysis. Phoenix, AZ.
  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2018). Characterizing Glioblastoma Heterogeneity via Single-cell Receptor Quantification. BMES Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA.
  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2017). Multiplexed Quantification of Angiogenic Receptors via qFlow Cytometry and Qdot-nanosensors. BMES Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2016). Enabling Multiplexed Single-cell Measurement of Angiogenic Receptors via Quantum dot Nanosensors: A High-throughput Quantification Approach. BMES Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Chen S (2016).Quantum dot-enabled Quantitative Single-cell Proteomics. The Midwest Quantitative Biology Symposium. Indianapolis, IN.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2015). Fixation affects angiogenic receptor levels on endothelial cells and fibroblasts in vitro. BMES Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL.
  • Chen S (2015). Towards personalized medicine: high-throughput multiplexed quantitative profiling of cell receptors. Bioengineering Graduate Students Seminar. Urbana, IL.
  • Chen S & Parker JK (2013). Measurement of the Temperature Dependence of Shear Modulus in Biomaterials Using Sonoelastographic Imaging of Static Interference Patterns. Master’s thesis defense. Rochester, NY.

Poster presentations:

  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2019). Single-cell RTK Quantification Unravels Glioblastoma Heterogeneity and Correlation between Plasma Membrane VEGFR1 Concentration and Tumor Invasiveness. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting (Philadelphia, PA).
  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2019). Single-cell RTK quantification of tumor vascular cells reveals high plasma membrane VEGFR, TIE2, PDGFR, EGFR concentration and high cell heterogeneity in invasive glioblastoma. Gordon Research Seminar & Gordon Research Conference (Angiogenesis). Newport, RI.
  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2018). Characterizing glioblastoma heterogeneity via single-cell RTK quantification. Neuro-Oncology Symposium. Minneapolis, MN.
  • Chen S, Harley B, Imoukhuede PI (2017). Single-cell receptoromic screening via qFlow cytometry and Qdot-nanosensors: Informing biomarker selection & nanosensor development. Gordon Research Conference on Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering. Holderness, NH.
  • Chen S, Harley B, Imoukhuede PI (2017). Multiplexed quantification of angiogenic receptors via qFlow cytometry and Qdot-nanosensors. Annual Midwest Tumor Microenvironment Meeting. St. Louis, MO.
  • Chen S, Harley B, Imoukhuede PI (2017). Multiplexed quantification of angiogenic receptors via qFlow cytometry and Qdot-nanosensors. Annual Tissue Microenvironment (TiMe) Day Symposium. Champaign, IL.
  • Fang Y, Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2017). Quantification of VEGF Receptors on Circulating Endothelial Cells. Annual Bioengineering Graduate Student Symposium. Urbana, IL.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2016). Enabling high-throughput single-cell quantification of angiogenic receptors via quantum dot (QD) nanosensors. Annual CNST Nanotechnology Workshop. Urbana, IL.
  • Fang Y, Chen S, Ansari A, Imoukhuede PI (2016) Identifying Patient Responsiveness to Anti-Angiogenic Drug Through Angiogenic Biomarker Quantification. BMES Midwest Regional Conference. Urbana, IL.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2016).Enabling Multiplexed Single-cell Mapping of Angiogenic Receptors via Quantum dots nanosensors. International Vascular Biology Meeting. Boston, MA.
  • Ansari A, Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2016). Towards Fast & Gentle Cell Isolation: Integrating Microfluidics & Secondary Anchor Targeted Cell Release. IEEE EMBS Micro and Nanotechnology in Medicine Conference. Waikoloa, HI.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2016). Enabling Multiplexed Single-cell Measurement of Angiogenic Receptors via Quantum dot (QD) Nanosensors: A High-throughput Quantification Approach. Individualizing Medicine Conference. Rochester, MN.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2016). Towards precision medicine: enabling multiplexed single-cell mapping of angiogenic receptors via quantum dot (QD) nanosensors. Global Engage’s Digital Pathology Congress. Philadelphia, PA.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede P (2015). Quantitative profiling of angiogenic receptors on human dermal fibroblasts. International Year of Light Workshop. Urbana, IL.
  • Chen S, Guo X, Imarenezor O & Imoukhuede PI (2015). Quantitation of PDGFRs on Fibroblasts Reveals Serum, Intra-Family Ligand, and Cross-Family Ligand Regulation. BMES Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2015). Quantification of angiogenic receptor levels and heterogeneity in fibroblasts-endothelial co-culture. BMES Annual Meeting. Tampa, FL.
  • Chen S, Imoukhuede PI (2015). Quantification of angiogenic receptor levels and heterogeneity in endothelial-fibroblast co-culture. IGB Theme Hops. Urbana, IL.
  • White R, Chen S, Imoukhuede P (2015). Towards multiplexed quantitative flow cytometry: optimizing nanosensor binding saturation. Council on Undergraduate Research: Research Experiences for Undergraduates Symposium. Arlington, VA.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2014). Quantitative profiling of angiogenic receptors on human dermal fibroblasts. BMES Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX.
  • Chen S & Imoukhuede PI (2014). Quantification of platelet-derived growth factor receptors on human dermal fibroblasts using high-throughput flow cytometry. Vasculata. Seattle, WA.