Yu Huang

Yu Huang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Engineering at Utah State University's College of Engineering, where he leads the MicroBrain Laboratory. His research focuses on BioMEMS and microtissue engineering of neurons, tumors, and stem cells with applications in neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and cellular therapy.

Dr. Huang earned his educational credentials from prestigious institutions:

• PhD in Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2011
• MS in Materials Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2010
• BS in Chemistry, Beijing University, 2001

Dr. Huang's research interests center on BioMEMS (microfabrication technology for biomedical applications), biomaterials, microfluidics, and tissue engineering. His laboratory specializes in microtissue engineering of neurons, tumors, and stem cells, with applications spanning neuroscience, neuro-engineering, regenerative medicine, cell assay development, and cellular therapy. His work bridges engineering principles with biological systems to create innovative solutions for healthcare challenges.

His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on neural tissue engineering, organoid development, and microfabrication technologies. Recent work emphasizes brain organoid modeling, 3D-printed biomaterials, and microfluidic platforms for neural and cancer research. His publications appear in high-impact journals including Nature Biotechnology, ACS Nano, and NanoScale, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work at the intersection of engineering and biology.

Dr. Huang has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his research and teaching excellence:

• NSF CAREER Award (2022)
• NIH MIRA Award (2021)
• Multiple Faculty Research Excellence Awards from USU (2022-2023)
• Outstanding Graduate and Undergraduate Mentor Awards
• Young Investigator Award from Society for Biomaterials (2022)

As an educator and mentor, Dr. Huang has guided numerous graduate and undergraduate students through research projects in his MicroBrain Lab. His teaching portfolio includes BioMEMS, Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, and Graduate Seminar courses. His lab actively recruits students interested in neural engineering, cancer research, and biomaterials development, providing hands-on research experience in state-of-the-art facilities.

The MicroBrain Laboratory maintains active collaborations across disciplines, focusing on engineering micro-environments for neural tissue development, cancer migration studies, and therapeutic applications of engineered tissues. Current projects include organoid engineering, anti-inflammatory compound studies, and development of novel biomaterials for neural applications.