My group designs and constructs enabling micro and nanosystems (e.g., micro-nanorobotic systems and MEMS/microfluidic devices) for automated operation at the micro and nanometer scales. We manipulate, characterize, and sense biological cells, biomolecules, and nanomaterials for both fundamental studies (e.g., molecule screen and genetics) and clinical/industrial applications (IVF, rare cell isolation, and precision instrumentation for industrial automation). The actively pursued areas are the manipulation and characterization of biological cells, molecules, and nanomaterials; microsystems and nanosystems; design and fabrication of MEMS and NEMS (micro-nanoelectromechanical systems); bioMEMS, sensors, actuators, and microfluidic devices; microrobotics and optical microscopy; nanorobotics and electron microscopy; automation at the micro-nanometer scales; cellular biophysics; and cellular biomechanics and mechanobiology.

My Advanced Micro and Nanosystems Laboratory (AMNL) is affiliated with Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Inst. of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Dept. of Computer Science. Our lab has an extensive collaborative network, with industry leaders (e.g., Hitachi High-Technologies), hospitals (e.g., Hospital for Sick Children), and collaborating researchers across continents. Our trainees are equipped with strong skills in instrumentation, micro-nano robotics, device design and microfabrication, computer vision microscopy, precision controls and measurement as well as strong communication skills, problem solving skills, and capabilities for interdisciplinary research and team work.