Zhenpeng Qin

Zhenpeng Qin is an Associate Professor and Fellow of the Eugene McDermott Professorship in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, within the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. He leads the Nano-Thermal Bioengineering Laboratory, where his interdisciplinary research bridges nanomaterials, photonics, neuroscience, and rapid diagnostics.

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2014)
• MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Akron (2009)
• BS in Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University (2007)

Dr. Qin's research focuses on biotransport and nanotechnology, particularly the fundamental interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems. His work explores thermo-plasmonics, bio heat and mass transfer, point-of-care diagnostics, nano biosensors, immunoassay enhancement, and cancer nanotechnology. A major thrust of his research is modulating the blood-brain and blood-brain-tumor barriers using optical and nanomaterial-based approaches to enable drug delivery for brain tumors and neurological disorders.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in optical control of biological systems, including photoswitchable nanovesicles for neuromodulation, plasmonic amplification in diagnostics, and nanoparticle-mediated barrier modulation. These works span disciplines such as neuroscience, oncology, bioengineering, and analytical chemistry, with emphasis on translational applications in diagnostics and therapy.

Dr. Qin has received numerous scientific honors, including:

• Y.C. Fung Early Career Award, ASME (2021)
• NIH MIRA R35 Award (2019)
• Discovery Award, Department of Defense (2019)
• Faculty Research Award, Jonsson School (2020)
• Inaugural Pitch Competition Winner, MassChallenge (2022)
• Member, Sigma Xi (2020)

He has been principal investigator on multiple major grants from NIH, NSF, CPRIT, and DoD, including an R01 on rapid RSV diagnostics and an NSF NCS-FR grant on neuropeptide modulation. He advises students in an interdisciplinary lab environment and has co-founded Avsana Labs while serving as a consultant for Acthera Therapeutics. His lab, the Nano-Thermal Bioengineering Laboratory, fosters collaboration across engineering, biology, and medicine to develop new tools for fundamental research and clinical translation.