Wei Min

Dr. Wei Min is a tenured full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He leads a prominent Biophotonics Lab focused on developing novel optical spectroscopy and microscopy technologies, particularly stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy, to address biomedical challenges. His research bridges chemistry, physics, and biology with significant applications in metabolic imaging and cellular dynamics.

Dr. Min earned his Bachelor's degree from Peking University in 2003 and completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Harvard University in 2008, working with Prof. Sunney Xie on single-molecule biophysics. After continuing his postdoctoral work in the Xie group, he joined Columbia University's Chemistry Department faculty in 2010 and achieved tenure as a full Professor in 2017.

His research focuses on developing novel optical spectroscopy and microscopy technologies to address biomedical problems, with particular emphasis on stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy and corresponding labeling techniques. His lab aims to study the distribution and dynamics of small bio-molecules in living systems, addressing biological problems on metabolism through small molecule imaging and metabolic labeling techniques at both cell level and in vivo. His work has significantly advanced the field of vibrational imaging, breaking through the 'color barrier' of fluorescence microscopy to enable super-multiplexed imaging with unprecedented chemical specificity.

Dr. Min's publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory of high-impact research in biophotonics and chemical imaging. His most recent work focuses on super-resolution vibrational imaging, multiplexed tissue analysis, metabolic tissue atlas mapping, and applications in materials science. The research shows a clear progression from fundamental technique development to diverse biomedical and materials applications, with increasing complexity in multiplexing capabilities and imaging depth.

• Biophotonics Technology Innovator Award (2023)
• Craver Award of Vibrational Spectroscopy, Coblentz Society (2022)
• The Raman Award for the Most Innovative Technological Development, International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy (2022)
• Scientific Achievement Award, the Royal Microscopical Society (2021)
• Multiple Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists finalist positions (2019-2021)
• ACS Early Career Award in Experimental Physical Chemistry (2017)
• National Institute of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award (2012)

Dr. Min has mentored numerous students and postdocs, many of whom have gone on to faculty positions at prestigious institutions including Fudan University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Caltech, and UC San Diego. His lab currently includes five PhD students and three postdoctoral researchers. His research is supported by significant grants, including the NIH Director's New Innovator Award, reflecting the innovative nature and potential impact of his work. The lab operates at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biology, developing tools that enable new biological discoveries while advancing the fundamental science of optical imaging.

Dr. Min's Biophotonics Lab maintains a strong focus on developing next-generation imaging technologies that overcome limitations of existing approaches. The lab's recent work on super-resolution vibrational imaging, multiplexed tissue analysis, and metabolic mapping demonstrates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in optical imaging, with applications spanning basic biological research, disease diagnosis, and materials science.