Principle Investigator Jian Zhang, PhD

Dr. Zhang is a scientist in biophysics and cell mechanics.

Dr. Zhang is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, AR.  

Dr. Zhang obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Peking University, China, and his PhD degree from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA. After that, he completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.  

Dr. Zhang's postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt was focused on exploring the biophysical mechanism of collective cancer invasion (advisor Dr. Cynthia Reinhart-King).[Read more]

Dr. Zhang's doctoral research projects include the study of directional cell migration,  cellular traction force regulation, cell adhesion dynamics, and cell-matrix interaction (advisor Dr. Yu-li Wang). [Feature story]

Dr. Zhang's undergraduate research projects include the study of inhalable particle removal and bio-heat transfer (mentor Dr. Hao Wang)

Education

2016           Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering                             Carnegie Mellon University

2011           B.S. in Theoretical & Applied Mechanics           Peking University

2009           Exchange Student                                                           National University of Singapore

Selected Honors & Awards

2024       Lori Libbert New Faculty Commendation for Teaching Commitment, University of Arkansas

2023       Trailblazer Award, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)

2019          Best Talk Award, VPA Annual Symposium, Vanderbilt University

2018          Molecular Biology of the Cell Paper of the Year Award,  the American Society for Cell Biology

2011          Outstanding Graduate, Peking University