Meet The Team
PI
- Jian Yang, Ph.D.
Chair professor of Westlake University
Associate Vice President
Chair of Materials Science and Engineering
Co-Editor-in-Chief of Bioactive Materials
Associate Editor of Science Advances
Fellow of AAAS, AIMBE, BMES, IAMBE,NAI
Tel: (+86571) 88110656 (Office)
Email: yangjian07@westlake.edu.cn
CV: [PDF]
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Dr. Jian Yang is currently a Chair Professor of Biomaterials and Regenerative Engineering, Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering, and an Associate Vice President at the Westlake University. Prior to Westlake, he was a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Regenerative Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Yang is known for his pioneering contribution on citrate chemistry and biology for the development and applications of citrate-based biomaterials. He was a recipient of NSF CAREER Award (2010), Outstanding Young Engineering Faculty Award at UTA (2011), PSEAS Outstanding Research Award at Penn State (2018), BMES Wallace H. Coulter Award for Healthcare Innovation Award (2023), and Society for Biomaterials Clemson Award for Contributions to the Literature (2026). Dr. Yang is an elected Fellow of American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE, 2016), the National Academy of Inventors (NAI, 2018), the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES, 2020), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, 2021), and the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE, 2023). Dr. Yang is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of “Bioactive Materials”, and an Associate Editor of “Science Advances”. Dr. Yang is a co-founder and the Past-President of Chinese Association for Biomaterials (CAB) and the recipient of 2023 CAB Distinguished Leadership and Service Award. Dr. Yang co-founded a medical device company, Aleo BME, Inc. and is also serving on the Scientific Advisory Board of Acuitive Technologies, LLC.
Selected Honors and Award
2026 Society for Biomaterials Clemson Award for Contributions to the Literature
2023 Outstanding Editor-in-Chief Award, KeAi Publisher
2023 BMES Wallace H. Coulter Award for Healthcare Innovation Award
2023 Chinese Association for Biomaterials (CAB) Distinguished Leadership and Service Award
2023 Fellow of the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE)
2022 Full Member, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society
2021 Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
2021 Outstanding Young Engineering Faculty Award, University of Texas, Arlington
2020 Fellow of US Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
2019 Lloyd & Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair in Regenerative Engineering
2018 Fellow of US National Academy of Inventors (NAI)
2018 PSEAS Outstanding Research Award, Penn State University
2016 Fellow of American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE)
2010 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award
Research Assistant Professor
- Research Assistant Professor
- Ruiquan Li, Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- B.S.: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Project: Biomedical Materials
- Email: liruiquan@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Muhammad Akram, Ph.D.
- Postdoc: Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)
- Ph.D.: Zhejiang University
- M.Phil: University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF)
- Project: Polyphosphazenes Based Biomedical Materials
- Email: akram@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Dingbowen Wang, Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: The Pennsylvania State University
- B.S.: Xi'an Jiaotong University
- Project: Luminescent materials, Biomaterials and Functional materials
- Email: wangdingbowen@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Lujiao Zhang, Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- B.S.: Jiangsu University of Technology
- Project: Biomaterials, Bone tissue engineering
- Email: zhanglujiao@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Jianguo Tao, Ph.D.(Muyuan Laboratory)
- Ph.D.:Zhejiang University and Westlake University
- B.S.: Wannan Medical College
- Project: Cartilage tissue engineering
- Email:taojianguo@muyuanlab.com
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Lingkun Zhang, Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: South China Normal University
- B.S.: Ludong University
- Project: Smart drug delivery and functional tissue regeneration
- Email: zhanglingkun@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Rongchen Wang, Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: East China University of Science and Technology
- B.S.: Nantong University
- Project: Organic luminescent biomaterials
- Email: wangrongchen@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Research Assistant Professor
- Hao Zhang, Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: Nanjing Medical University
- B.S.: Nanjing Medical University
- Project: Bioinformatics, Stem cell lineage tracing and growth regulation
- Email: zhanghao72@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Github
- Research Assistant Professor
- Zili Gao，Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science
- B.S.: Shandong Agricultura University
- Project: Biomaterials, 3D bioprinting tissue engineering
- Email: gaozili@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
Postdocs
- Postdoc
- Xiao Wu，Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: Sichuan University
- B.E.: Jiangnan University
- Project: Biomaterials, Tissue engineering materials
- Email: wuxiao@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Postdoc
- Hao Huang，Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: Southwest Jiaotong University
- B.E.: Qingdao University of Technology
- Project: Biomaterials, Calcium phosphate functional materials
- Email: huanghao@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Postdoc
- Yuqi Wang，Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: The Pennsylvania State University
- B.S.: The Pennsylvania State University
- Project: Biomaterials，Bone regeneration
- Email: wangyuqi13@westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Postdoc
- Yuan Li，Ph.D.
- Ph.D.: South China Normal University
- B.E.: Ludong University
- Project: Biomaterials and immunology
- Email: liyuan@westlake.edu.cn
Assistants
- Administrative Assistant
- Hongguan Shen
- Bachelor: East China University of Science and Technology
- Email:shenhongguan@westlake.edu.cn
- Administrative Assistant
- Bing Qu
- Master：Monash University
- Bachelor ： Hubei University
- Email: qubing@westlake.edu.cn
- Research Assistant
- Xiangqian Huang
- Master: Hebei University
- Bachelor: Beijin College, Hunan University of Technology and Business
- Email: huangxiangqian@westlake.edu.cn
- Research Assistant
- Can Jin
- Master: HuNan University
- Bachelor: Henan Polytechnic University
- Email: jincan@westlake.edu.cn
Students
- Ph.D. Student
- Yutong Lu
- Master: Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Bachelor: Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
- Email: luyutong@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Dewei Zhou
- Master: Tongji University
- Bachelor: Nanjing Agricultural University
- Email: zhoudewei@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Shiyi Geng
- Bachelor: Changchun University of Science and Technology
- Email: gengshiyi@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Linyu Ding
- Master: Xiamen University
- Bachelor: Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
- Email: dinglinyu@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Shumin Yue
- Master: Guangxi University
- Bachelor: Qingdao University of Science and Technology
- Email: yueshumin@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Liuzhou Mao
- Master: Xiamen University
- Bachelor: Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Email: maoliuzhou@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Ruiqin Feng
- Master: Peking University
- Bachelor: Fujian Medical University
- Email: fengruiqin@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Fanqi Wang
- Master: Wuhan University
- Bachelor: Hubei Engineering University
- Email: wangfanqi@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Fang Chen
- Master: Sichuan University
- Bachelor: Shandong University
- Email: chenfang69@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Xinyue Tu
- Bachelor: Zhejiang University
- Email: tuxinyue@westlake.edu.cn
- Ph.D. Student
- Zhenhao Ma
- Bachelor: Southern University of Science and Technology
- Email: mazhenhao@westlake.edu.cn
Visiting Scholar
- Visiting Postdoc
- Kai Lin
- Currently: Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
- M.D: Nanjing Medical University
- Master: Nanjing Medical University
- Bachelor: Shandong First Medical University
- Project: Epigenetics in General Surgery
- Email: linkai@hospital.westlake.edu.cn
- Google Scholar
- Visiting Postdoc
- Wenjin Cai
- Currently: School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University
- Ph.D.: Wuhan University
- Master: Wenzhou Medical University
- Bachelor: Shandong Second Medical University
- Project: Mitochondrial function and metabolic regulation, Stem cells regeneration
- Email: caiwenjin@westlake.edu.cn
- Visiting Researcher
- Jieying He
- Master: Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University
- Bachelor: Southern Medical University
- Email: hejieying@westlake.edu.cn
Visiting Students
- Visiting Ph.D. Student
- Yue Liu
- Currently: School of Stomatology, Tianjin Medical University
- Master: Shandong University
- Bachelor: Hebei Medical University
- Email: liuyue99@westlake.edu.cn
- Visiting Master Student
- Yipeng Li
- Currently: School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University
- Master Candidate: Southern Medical University
- Bachelor:Guangzhou Medical University
- Email: LYP0319@126.com
- Visiting gradutate Student
- Xiaoyan Chen
- Currently: School of Pharmacy，Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
- Master Candidate: Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
- Bachelor:Yulin Normal University
- Email: chenxiaoyan@westlake.edu.cn
- Visiting Ph.D. Student
- Zeyu Cai
- Currently: School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University
- Master: Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
- Bachelor: Anhui Medical University
- Email: caizeyu70@westlake.edu.cn
- Visiting gradutate Student
- Chao Chen
- Currently: School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University
- Master Candidate: Southern Medical University
- Bachelor: Tianjin Medical University
- Email: Charles_9588@163.com
- Visiting Undergraduate Student
- Zhiyan Chen
- Currently: School of Chemistry And Chemical Engineering, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
- Email: chenzhiyan@westlake.edu.cn
- Visiting Undergraduate Student
- Yijia Dai
- Currently: School of Bioengineering, Northwest Minzu University
- Email: daiyijia@westlake.edu.cn
Former Group Members
Former postdocs and research scholars with last known positions
Jiayue Feng; Research Assisstant (2024-2026); PhD Student at Johns Hopkins University, USA
Zhuohao Wen; Research Assistant (2025-2026); PhD Student at Peking University, Beijing, China
Chengwei Zhou; Postdoc(2024-2026); Postdoc at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, China
Jianhua Zhu; Visiting Scholar (2024-2025); Work in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology，Beijing, China
Le Yu; Postdoc (2022-2024); Assistant Professor at University of Missouri-Kansas City
Xinyu Tan; Visiting Scholar (2019-2021); Work in Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Jian Zhang; Postdoc (2016-2017); Postdoc of University of Chicago
Kaitian Xu; (2015-2017); Research Associate
Li Li; Visiting Scholar (2016-2017); Sichuan University
Min Lin; Visiting Scholar (2016-2017); Nanchang University
Qing Cai; Visiting scholar (2013-2014); Professor at Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Steve (Denghui) Xie; Visiting PhD Student (2013-2014); Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
Dianna Nguyen; Lab Technician (2013-2014)
Richard Tran; Postdoc/Research Associate (2011-2014); Acuitive Technologies, NJ
Jianqing Hu; Visiting Scholar/Postdoctoral Fellow (2013-2015); Associate Professor at South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Zhiwei Xie; Postdoc (2011-2015), Sherwin Williams
Jinshan Guo; Postdoc (2011-2016); Aleo BME, Inc.
Xili Lu; Visiting Scholar (2015-2016); Harbin Engineering University
Former students with last known positions
At Westlake University
Han Xiao; Visiting Graduate Student (2026); Graduate Student at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Zimeng Guo; Visiting Undergraduate Student (2026); Undergraduate Student at Chengdu University, China
Alice Xue; Visiting Undergraduate Student (2026); Undergraduate Student at Emory University, USA
Yi Zhong; PhD Student(2025-2026); PhD Student at Yale University, USA
Leann Huang; Visiting Undergraduate Student (2025); Undergraduate Student at University of Alberta (Canada)
Zhiyan Chen; Visiting Undergraduate Student (2025); Undergraduate Student at Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (China)
Maggie Chao Yang; Visiting Undergraduate Student (2025); Undergraduate Student at Northwestern University (USA)
Xinyi Li; Visiting Undergraduate Student (2024); Undergraduate Student at University of Massachusetts Amherst (USA)
At PSU
Dingbowen Wang; Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering (2017-2023); Research Assistant Professor at Westlake University (China)
Ethan Gerhard; Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering (2014-2024); Penn State)
Yuqi Wang; MS, Biomedical Engineering (2020-2021)
Qiyao Li; Ph.D., Bioengineering (2015-2020)
Chuying Ma; Ph.D., Bioengineering (2014-2019)
Dingying Shan; Ph.D., Bioengineering (2013-2018)
Jimin Peter Kim; Ph.D., Bioengineering (2014-2018) FDA)
Gerald Kirk; MS. Bioengineering (2015-2017)
Gloria Bora Kim; Ph.D., Bioengineering (-2017); Assistant Professor, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona)
Surge Kalaba; MS. Bioengineering (2014-2016); General Electric
Yixue Su; MS. Bioengineering (2013-2016); Cleveland Clinics, OH
