X. Frank Zhang, Ph.D., Principal Investigator

Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Tel: (+1) 413-577-0876
Email: frank.zhang@umass.edu

Frank Zhang received his doctorate in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Miami School of Medicine, his master’s degree in Biophysics from The University of Hong Kong, and his bachelor’s degree in Physics from the Sun Yat-sen University. Dr. Zhang received his postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School with Prof. Timothy A. Springer. Prior to joining the UMass Amherst faculty, he served as a professor of bioengineering at Lehigh University.

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Dr. Yanyan Chen, Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Lehigh University
B.S. in Physics, Northwestern University
Research interests: single-molecule fluorescence detection, biophysical modeling

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Xaymara Rivera Gonzalez, Ph.D. student

B.S. in Physics, Lehigh University
Research interests: endothelial mechanotransduction, biological membranes

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David Hou, Ph.D. student

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University
Research interests: viral adhesion, cellular mechanotransduction

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Yi Liu, Ph.D. student

M.S. in Environmental Engineering, Washington University
B.E. in Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University
Research interests: VWF mechanoactivation, platelet mechanoactivation. blood coagulation

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Avani Pisapati, M.S. student

B.A. in Film and Media, Middlebury College
Research interests: Currently conducting single-molecule research on proteins involved in von Willebrand disease and cholinergic neurotransmission. Interested in understanding the biological underpinnings of depression, digital media consumption, labor relations and colonization.

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Jeffrey Dicker, M.S. student

B.E. in Bioengineering, Lehigh University
Research interests: viral infection, COVID-19

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Ryan Seth, M.S. student

B.S. in Behavior Neuroscience, Lehigh University
Research interests: viral infection, COVID-19

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Ariana Fantasia-Davis, undergraduate researcher

Research interests: viral infection, COVID-19

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Neena Shah, undergraduate researcher

Research interests: viral infection, COVID-19

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Co-Advising Researchers:

Luke Wang, Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering (co-advised with Anand Jagota)

B.E. in Bioengineering, Nanjing Forest University
Research interests: Ebola viral adhesion, biomechanical modeling, COVID-19

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Xinyu Cui, Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering (co-advised with Anand Jagota)

B.E. in Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Research interests: Ebola viral adhesion, coarse-grained modeling, COVID-19

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Sajedehalsadat Yazdanparast Tafti, Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering (co-advised with Sabrina Jedlicka)

B.S. in Food Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
M.S. in Food Biotechnology, University of Tehran
Research interests: stem cell biology, extracellular vesicles

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Esraa Ismail, Ph.D. student in Bioengineering (co-advised with Xuanhong Cheng)

B.E. in Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology
Research interests: VWF, single-molecule–based flow-switchable biomaterials

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Yi Wang, Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering (co-advised with Xuanhong Cheng)

B.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology
E-mail: yiw716@lehigh.edu

Research interests: Yi’s primary research interest lies in biopolymers for diagnosis and therapy applications. And she is currently working on the mechanobiology of a blood clotting factor VWF using a microfluidic imaging system. The understanding of VWF behavior would allow better therapeutic methods for thrombus and further design of drug delivery system.

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Alumni 

Postdoctoral Researchers:

Dr. Yizhen Wang (2012-1014), current position: associate professor, Hainan University
Dr. Jianguang Wu (2010), current position: professor, Anhui University of Science and Technology

Ph.D. Students:

Dr. Wenpeng Cao (2015-2020), current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Lehigh University
Dr. Chuqiao Dong (2015-2020), current position: Senior Software Engineer, UBTECH Robotics
Dr. Michael Morabito (2016-2019), current position: Assistant Professor, Eastern University
Dr. Wei Wei (2011-2018), current position: Senior Production Analyst, EP Analytics, Inc.
Dr. Matthew Dragovich (2013-2017), current position: Scientist, Xencor Inc.
Dr. Chenyu Wu (2011-2016), current position: CEO, Zongze Herbal Medicine Co., China
Dr. Wei Zhang (2011-2016), current position: Data Scientist, Shopee, Singapore
Dr. Yan Xu (2011-2015), current position: Senior Mechanical Engineer, Apple Inc.
Dr. Xin Fu (2009-2010), current position: research scientist, UCSF
Dr. Qingqing Jiang (2009-2010), current position: research scientist, UC Davis
Dr. Yanbo Zhang (2009-2010), current position: Scientist, Cygna

M.S. Students:

Chuqian Xiong (Lehigh, BIOE, 2019), current position: Medical Imaging Project Manager, Taimei Medical Technology, Inc.
Whitney Lai (Lehigh, BIOE, 2018), current position: Senior Virtual Reality Clinical Engineer, Surgical Theater
Kyung Min Lee (Lehigh, ChBE, 2018, co-advising)
Wenpeng Cao (Lehigh, BIOE, 2017), current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Lehigh University
Steven Bach (Lehigh, BIOE, 2013), current position: Associate Scientist at LakePharma, Inc.
Wei Zhang (Lehigh, MEM, 2013), current position: Data Scientist, Shopee, Singapore
Benjie Brozanski (Lehigh, MEM, 2012), current position: Design Engineer, Trice Medical
Xiang Gao (Lehigh, MEM, 2012), current position: Data Analyst, BigOne Lab

Undergraduate Researchers:

1) Anna Katz, 2019, Anxiety and lynx2: transfection and protein purification.
2) Christianna Pepingco, 2018-2019, Ebola virus host-cell interaction.
3) Zhibo Zhang, 2018-2019, Ebola virus host-cell interaction.
4) Esther Park, 2018, Ebola virus host-cell interaction.
5) Juliet Chung, 2017-2018, Characterization of interactions between Lynx proteins and nicotinic receptors.
6) Jayne Guthon, 2017-2018, Molecular mechanism for CAR-T–tumor cell interaction.
7) Siyuan (Derek) Hu, 2017-2018, Neurogenetics of Creativity.
8) Monika Buczak, 2017-2018, Characterization of Lynx 2 – nicotinic receptor interactions using AFM.
9) Meaghan Gavey, 2017-2018, Role of cell adhesion molecules in CAR-T–tumor cell interaction. Probing Receptor Binding Capabilities of Mutant lynx Modulators for Anxiety.
10) Liam Dow, 2017-2019, Molecular mechanism for CAR-T–tumor cell interaction.
11) Myrna Yehia, 2015-2019, Profiling binding interactions for T cell activation in CAR-T immunotherapy, and Mechanism for adhesive interactions between leukocytes and medical stainless steals.
12) Nazli Guleryuz, 2017, AFM measurement epithelial cell stiffness.
13) Tenzin Dadon, 2017, Experimental characterization of the stiffness of NIH 3T3 cells using AFM.
14) Duc Tran, 2017, Cell stiffness data analysis computer program.
15) Andrew Truman, 2017, Experimental characterization of the stiffness of NIH 3T3 cells using AFM.
16) Maydelin Moya Fernandez, 2017, Experimental characterization of the stiffness of Aspc-1 cells using AFM.
17) Xaymara Rivera, 2017, Confocal imaging study of the structure of NIH 3T3 cells.
18) Brooke Lichak, 2017, Probing Receptor Binding Capabilities of Mutant lynx Modulators for Anxiety and Optimization of Creativity.
19) Rachel Swope, 2017, Probing Receptor Binding Capabilities of Mutant lynx Modulators for Anxiety and Optimization of Creativity.
20) Megan Polak, 2017, Probing Receptor Binding Capabilities of Mutant lynx Modulators for Anxiety and Optimization of Creativity.
21) Mark Crenshaw, 2017, Probing Receptor Binding Capabilities of Mutant lynx Modulators for Anxiety and Optimization of Creativity.
22) Ryan Armbruster, 2017, Probing Receptor Binding Capabilities of Mutant lynx Modulators for Anxiety and Optimization of Creativity.
23) Brendan Curran, 2017, Profiling binding interactions for T cell activation in CAR-T immunotherapy.
24) Krishen Shah, 2017, AFM analysis with nano indentation of the skin equivalents.
25) Cassandra Christman, 2016, Mechanism for TIM protein-mediated Ebola virus – host cell interactions.
26) Zihan Liu, 2015-2016, 3D printed atomic force microscopy.
27) Dasom Ko, 2016, Improving CAR T-cell Functionality by Determining kon and koff Rates.
28) Whitney Lai, 2015-2016, Probing von Willebrand Factor mechanical properties using optical tweezers.
29) Michelle Sanabria, 2015-2016, Quantification of Forces and Energies During Attachment of EBOV to Host Cell.
30) Dennis Moyer, 2015, An atomic force microscopy study of Ebola virus-host cell interaction.
31) Daniel Altman, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
32) Nathan DeRaymond, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
33) Ibrahim Hashmi, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
34) Adama Shaw, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
35) Katie Wu, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
36) Isabel Amaya, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
37) Serge Ayinou, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
38) Felipe Torres, 2016, Experimental and Computational Investigation of Cell Rheology Including Contributions of the Cell Membrane and Glycocalyx.
39) Aileen Bidad, 2014-2015, 3D printed AFM.
40) Ken De Avila, 2015, Observing the the mechanical interactions among integrin, P2Y2R receptor, and Hantavirus.
41) Aydan Aktug, 2014-2015, Analyzing Mechanical Characteristics of von Willebrand Factor and Its Behavior Under Various Forces.
42) Zion Um, 2015, Solid Works design for 3D printed AFM.
43) Krista Schutt, 2014-2015, Mechanical mechanism for Ebola Virus entry.
44) Ohmny Romero, 2014-2015, Structural analysis and mutations in the A1 and A3 domains of von Willebrand Factor.
45) Chelsea Coffey, 2014-2015, Utilizing the Disulfide Bond Method to connect the von Willebrand factor Protein onto DNA Handles.
46) Daniel Chester, 2013-2015, The Purification of the A3 Domain of von Willebrand Factor, Endothelial Surface Glycocalyx Stimulation Induced Nitric Oxide and Calcium Signaling.
47) Katrina Bohnhorst, 2014 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Characterize the interaction between leukocytes and stainless steel.
48) Kaylynn Ganemaras, 2013-2014, Leukocye-endothelial cell interaction probed by AFM.
49) Brian Wittreich, 2013, Leukocye-endothelial cell interaction probed by AFM.
50) Yoshiki Takeyama, 2013, Leukocye-stainless steel interaction probed by AFM.
51) Katherine Vojir, 2012, Leukocye-stainless steel interaction probed by AFM.
52) Andrew Sgalato, 2012, Leukocye-stainless steel interaction probed by AFM.