• Principle Investigator

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    Prof. Lei Sun

    Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Southern California
    Ph.D. Bioengineering, Pennsylvania State University
    M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
    B.Sc. Electronic Engineering and Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China
    E-mail: lei.sun@edu.polyu.hk

    ''I started my journey with focused ultrasound during my Ph.D. study under the late Professor Nadine Smith at Penn State, where I conducted MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for treating prostate cancer. The recent wave of ultrasound neuromodulation research inspired me most, and I began to pursue methodologies for precise and accurate ultrasound neuromodulation."

  • Research Assistant Professor

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    Quanxiang Xian, Ph.D.

    Quanxiang earned her PhD from Hong Kong Polytechnic University under the supervision of Prof. Sun. She is presently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Prof. Sun's Lab, where she is dedicated to conducting a comprehensive study of ultrasound neuromodulation mechanisms and advancing the possibilities for clinical applications of ultrasound stimulation. Apart from her studies, she is passionate about climbing, sports, exploring new places, and diving into a good book.

  • Postdoc Fellows

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    Jing Lou, Ph.D.

    I received my Ph.D. from Beijing Normal University. During my Ph.D., I used multimodal neuroimaging and multi-omics approaches to study biomarkers of mental disorders and brain development. My current research focuses on neural decoding and brain–computer interfaces. Outside the lab, I enjoy skiing.

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    Yu Liu, Ph.D.

    I received my Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Medicine from Nanchang University, and currently work as a Hong Kong Scholar
    Postdoctoral Fellow in Prof. Lei Sun’s lab. My research focuses on the clinical application and translational research of precision neuromodulation therapies for post-stroke depression and cognitive impairment, with an aim to develop
    personalized, non-invasive intervention solutions for stroke-related neuropsychiatric deficits. Outside of research, I enjoy traveling across different regions of China to savor distinctive traditional Chinese local cuisines, and immersing myself in diverse cultural landscapes during my trips.

    Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow

  • Graduate Students

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    Jianing Jing

    Jianing Jing, a dedicated biomedical engineering from undergraduate to postgraduate, focuses his research on utilizing ultrasound technology to address neurological disorders. Passionate about innovation in healthcare, he aims to advance therapeutic techniques. Outside the lab, Jianing enjoys traveling and capturing moments through photography, blending his scientific and creative interests.

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    Langzhou Liu

    Langzhou received his B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei, China in 2019 and 2022, respectively. He used computational tools to study astrocyte calcium signals in his master’s research. He joined the SUN lab to develop high-ultrasound sensitivity mediators and ultrasound-responsive synthetic switches. Outside the lab, Langzhou enjoys music, sports, food, hiking and traveling.

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    Dongshuai Zhao

    Dongshuai majors in biomedical engineering and gets his master's degree from Hebei university of technology. He focused on the application and mechanism of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in his master's study. At present, he is interested in sonogenetics and neuromodulation. Outside of lab, Dongshuai likes swimming, table tennis, and traveling.

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    Congmin Chen

    Congmin, who completed her undergraduate studies at South China Agricultural University and earned a master's degree from Sun Yat-sen University with a focus on Parkinson's disease pathogenic mechanisms, recently joined Professor Lei Sun's research group at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, exploring the field of sonogenetics. Beyond her scientific pursuits, Congmin finds joy in movies, reading, photography, hiking, and traveling.

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    Danni Li 

    Danni majors in biological science in her undergrad and developed great interest in biomedical engineering. Currently she is working in the Sun Lab to develop in vivo approaches that can achieve non-invasive targeted vector delivery for sonogenetics. Outside of the lab, Danni finds joy in running, playing badminton and jigsaw puzzle.

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    Zhuohan Shi

    During his BSc at CUHK, he studied the role of mechanosensitive ion channels in maintaining the stemness of cancer stem cells. He then obtained his MMedSc at HKU, where he researched the mechanisms of electrical neuromodulation. Currently, he focuses on the applications of sonogenetics.

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    Zihao Chen

    Zihao is pursuing his PhD, and he is working on neurodynamics, the neuroscience application of functional ultrasound imaging and the design and manufacture of ultrasound neuromodulation system. Zihao is also interested in ultrasound imaging algorithms and transcranial correction. Besides, Zihao enjoys taking walks and making electronic gadgets in his free time.

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    Zhaoqi Lu

    Zhaoqi is currently a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research focuses on AI agents and foundation models for biomedical image analysis, with a particular interest in developing intelligent and interactive systems for scientific discovery and biomedical research. Beyond his academic pursuits, Zhaoqi enjoys hiking, fitness, and exploring new technologies.

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    Binghao Zhao

    Binghao received his bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Tianjin Medical University and his master’s degree in Neurobiology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Currently, he is working in the SUN Lab to explore ultrasound-based neuromodulation strategies for sleep regulation. Outside the lab, Binghao enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his cat.

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    Mengzhu Sun

    Mengzhu is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in SUN LAB at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her research primarily focuses on functional ultrasound imaging and ultrasound neuromodulation. Beyond her academic pursuits, Mengzhu also enjoys traveling, music, and spending time with her adorable cat.

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    Yuhang Xue

    Yuhang has a research background in robotics sensing and electronic information. He is currently a PhD candidate at the PolyU, where he is dedicated to studying the effects of ultrasound-mediated physical signals on physiological activities.

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    Yubin Zhou

    Yubin completed his undergraduate studies at the South China University of Technology. Currently, Yubin is an MPhil student in PolyU. His research focuses on the long-term effects of ultrasound neuromodulation.. Beyond his academic pursuits, Yubin enjoys in cycling, as well as designing and making cotton dolls

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    Jie Yu

    Jie YU received her master’s degree from Jinan University, where her research focused on the neural circuit mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression. Her current research focuses on ultrasound neuromodulation. Outside the lab, she enjoys sports, music, and photography.

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    Xin Meng

    Xin received her B.S. degree in Biotechnology from HUST and her M.S. degree in Biology from SUSTech. During her master's study, she focused on developing optogenetic and chemogenetic tools for synthetic biology. She is currently working on ultrasound-responsive synthetic switches. Outside the lab, Xin enjoys hiking and photography.

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    MingYe Yuan

    Mingye is currently a PhD student focusing on using implicit neural representations for multi-dimensional biomedical imaging. She completed her bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and her master's degree in computer system engineering at Carleton University. Her master's thesis focused on “Using Thermal Imaging to Promote Independent Living”. Beyond academic pursuits, Mingye finds joy in reading, movies and yoga.

  • Research Assistant

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    Shishi Huo

    Shishi has a background in biotechnology and biomedical engineering, with a strong interest in ultrasound technologies and bioengineering. Currently, she works as a Research Assistant in the Sun Lab, focusing on ultrasound-responsive molecular tools and synthetic biology approaches for sonogenetics. Outside of the lab, Shishi enjoys reading, exercising, and watching movies.

  • Alumni

    PhD graduates

    Qiu Weibao, 2012

    Liu Cheng, 2017

    Qiu Zhihai, 2018

    Song Lin, 2020

    Cao Fei, 2021

    Wang guohao, 2021

    Zhu Jiejun, 2021

    Xian Quanxiang, 2021

    Hou Xuandi, 2022

    Zhu Ting, 2023

    Su Min, 2024

    Jiang Yizhou, 2024

    Lei ting, 2025

    Zhao Xinyi, 2025

    Wu Yong, 2026

    Huang xiaohui, 2026

    Qiang yu, 2026

    MPhil graduates

    Liu cheng, 2013

    Huang yongmin, 2017

    Wong Kin Fung Derek, 2018

    Yang Yaoheng Mack, 2017

    Post-doc completed

    Xu Fan

    Tang Liya

    Li Xiaoniu (visiting)

    Guo Jinghui

    Suresh Kanan

    Qiu Zhihai

    Liu Cheng

    Shi Meilin (visiting), 9/2023-9/2024

    Hou Xuandi, 9/2022-10/2024

    Xian Quanxiang, 2021-2024

    Jiang Yizhou, 5/2024-6/2026

    Pan Hong, 9/2025-10/2026

    Zhao Xinyi, 3/2026 -10/2026

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