Cancer Cell Migration & Mechanobiology
How confinement and matrix mechanics regulate cancer cell metabolism, migration, and invasive behavior.
Related researchUnderstanding cell behavior across physical and molecular landscapes.
I am a bioengineer studying how physical microenvironments shape cell migration, identity, and function. My research investigates how physical microenvironments shape cell behavior and disease. Building on my background in microfluidics and mechanobiology, my current work integrates spatial omics, epigenetics, and imaging-based approaches to explore the relationship between tissue mechanics and molecular organization.
Postdoctoral Associate · Rong Fan Lab ↗
· Department of Biomedical Engineering · Yale University ↗
Research
The environment
shapes the cell.
Exploring the dialogue between cells and their surroundings, from physical forces to molecular identity.
Extracellular Fluid Viscosity & Cell Function
How extracellular fluid viscosity shapes stem-cell behavior and immune-cell function.
Spatial Omics & Tissue Mechanics
Integrating spatial omics, epigenetics, and biophysical approaches to investigate tissue mechanics and molecular organization.
Live-cell imaging
Microscopy &
Live Imaging
Selected time-lapse microscopy from our research.
Cancer Cell Migration in Microfluidic Channels
Cancer cells migrating through hydrogel-based microfluidic channels.
Cancer Cell Migration in Zebrafish
Cancer cell migration through zebrafish intersegmental vessels (ISVs).
Selected
Publications
View all publications 2025Published
Science Advances
Extracellular fluid viscosity regulates human mesenchymal stem cell lineage and function. (opens in a new tab)
2026Preprint
2026Published
Nature Communications · 15 October 2026
Acute priming using elevated fluid viscosity recovers young-like single-cell surveillance behaviors in aged human T cells. (opens in a new tab)
News & Highlights
View All NewsAward
Selected for the Fulcrum Science Scholarship
Awarded a Fulcrum Science Scholarship in recognition of the translational potential of my research.
Scientific Leadership / Professional Service
Session Co-Chair, AIChE Annual Meeting 2026
Serving as Session Co-Chair for “New Approach Methodologies for Understanding and Predicting Human Health Outcomes II” at the 2026 AIChE Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mentoring & Outreach
Selected as a Mentor for Yale's Seeds of Success Program
Selected as a mentor for the 2026–2027 Seeds of Success: STEMM Ambassadors Program at Yale University, supporting middle-school students as they explore science, engineering, and future STEMM career opportunities.
About
Across scales.
Across disciplines.
I am a Postdoctoral Associate in the Rong Fan Lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Yale University. My doctoral research at Johns Hopkins University focused on understanding how mechanical and biochemical cues regulate cancer cell migration, metabolism, and stem and immune cell function.
At Yale, I am extending this work toward spatial omics and epigenetics, developing approaches to investigate how tissue mechanics relate to molecular organization and disease progression.
Postdoctoral advisorProf. Rong Fan ↗
MicrofluidicsMechanobiologyCancer biologyImmune cell behaviorSpatial omics
Contact
Let's connect.
Research conversations, shared questions, and new perspectives.