Yajie (Kevin) Liang, MB, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is a Principal Investigator at the Center for Advanced Imaging Research (CAIR) and a member of the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. His interdisciplinary research bridges neuroscience, imaging technology, and regenerative medicine. Education and Training: 1998–2003: Baccalaureate in Medicine, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing, China 2003–2009: PhD in Neurobiology, 3rd Military Medical University, Chongqing, China 2010–2012: Postdoc, Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University 2012–2015: Postdoc, Institute of Physiology, Tübingen University, Germany Research Focus: Dr. Liang’s laboratory develops and applies advanced in vivo imaging techniques, particularly two-photon and three-photon microscopy, to study neural stem cell therapy, stroke recovery, and neurodegeneration. His team investigates how transplanted neural cells integrate into host brain circuits and how toxic protein aggregates, such as α-synuclein, propagate in dementia models. Current Projects: Long-term tracking of single neural stem cells in stroke models Nanobody-based chemogenetic probes for α-synuclein strain imaging Smart multiphoton imaging systems for real-time cellular interrogation 3D-printed microinjection needle arrays for precise brain delivery Grants & Funding: NIA: “Shedding Light on Functional Heterogeneity of Dementia-related Alpha-synuclein Strains” ($463,124, 2022–2025) Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund: “Smart Intravital Multiphoton Imaging iPSC-derived Cells” ($345,000, 2024–2026) NIMH subcontract: “3D Microprinting-Enabled Microinjection Needle Arrays” ($88,295, 2023–2025) Total active funding: $896,419 Scientific Awards: Young Investigator Award, National Natural Science Foundation of China (2009) Outstanding Doctoral Thesis, Chongqing City (2010) Fortune Award for Junior Investigators, Tübingen University (2013) Dr. Liang is an active member of the Society for Neuroscience, Society for Image Guided Neurointerventions, and BioImaging North America. His work has been featured in high-impact journals including Nature Methods , Cell Research , and Biomaterials .








