Email
rwang16@wpi.edu
Phone
+1 (508) 8314181
Education
BS, Jilin University, 1990
PhD, University of Tokyo, 1996
Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Los Alamos National Lab, 1998-2000
Research
Science and Technology that enable the analysis of patients’ minute biopsy samples in the native states to reveal the fundamental causes of diseases and yield intervention points for treatment are in critical demand. Research in Wang group leverages interdisciplinary approaches that merge material science, biochemistry, bioengineering and nanotechnology to address such multifaceted challenges. Students receive training in biochemistry, biophysics, bioanalytical chemistry, surface chemistry, composite materials and cell biology through research projects, such as: a) developing high-performance biocomposite materials with tunable biochemical composition and biophysical properties, and stimuli-responsive for tissue repair and cell therapeutics; b) creating a salivary sensor device, coupled with optical spectroscopy and imaging, machine learning and nano/microfabrication, to assess the risk of periodontitis and comorbidities; c) generating silk based fibers to mimick the aligned fibrous collagen in extracellular matrix for innovative biomedical and industrial devices; and d) designing and synthesizing photothermo-responsive polymer as gating material for aroma compound and drug molecule encapsulation and controllable release.
Dr. Wang’s research are currently funded by National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation. She is a Standing Member of NIH Cellular and Molecular Technologies (CMT) Study Section, an Associate Editor of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and is on the Editorial Boards of Bioengineering and Journal of Functional Biomaterials.
Email
rwang16@wpi.edu
Education
BS, Jilin University, 1990
PhD, University of Tokyo, 1996
Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Los Alamos National Lab, 1998-2000
Research
Science and Technology that enable the analysis of patients’ minute biopsy samples in the native states to reveal the fundamental causes of diseases and yield intervention points for treatment are in critical demand. Research in Wang group leverages interdisciplinary approaches that merge material science, biochemistry, bioengineering and nanotechnology to address such multifaceted challenges. Students receive training in biochemistry, biophysics, bioanalytical chemistry, surface chemistry, composite materials and cell biology through research projects, such as: a) developing high-performance biocomposite materials with tunable biochemical composition and biophysical properties, and stimuli-responsive for tissue repair and cell therapeutics; b) creating a salivary sensor device, coupled with optical spectroscopy and imaging, machine learning and nano/microfabrication, to assess the risk of periodontitis and comorbidities; c) generating silk based fibers to mimick the aligned fibrous collagen in extracellular matrix for innovative biomedical and industrial devices; and d) designing and synthesizing photothermo-responsive polymer as gating material for aroma compound and drug molecule encapsulation and controllable release.
Dr. Wang’s research are currently funded by National Institute of Health and National Science Foundation. She is a Standing Member of NIH Cellular and Molecular Technologies (CMT) Study Section, an Associate Editor of Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, and is on the Editorial Boards of Bioengineering and Journal of Functional Biomaterials.
Phone
+1 (508) 8314181
Scholarly Work
"Light-Induced Amphiphilic Surfaces", R. Wang, K. Hashimoto, A. Fujishima, M. Chikuni, E. Kojima, A. Kitamura, M. Shimohigoshi and T. Watanabe, Nature, 388, 431 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/41233.
“Direct Observation of Sol-Gel Conversion: the Role of the Solvent in Organogel Formation”, R. Wang, C. Geiger, L. Chen, B. I. Swanson, D. G. Whitten, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 122, 2399 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1021/ja993991t.
“Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Photolabile Cross-Linker and Its application on Protein Photo-Delivery”, F. Yan; L. Chen; Q. Tang; R. Wang, Bioconjugate Chem. 15 1030 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1021/bc049901d.
“Adapting Collagen / CNT Matrix in Directing hESC Differentiation”, Indumathi Sridharan, Taeyoung Kim, Rong Wang, Biolchem. Biolphys. Res. Com., 381 (2009) 508–512. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.bbrc.2009.02.072.
“Structural and Mechanical Profiles of Native Collagen Fibers in Vaginal Wall Connective Tissues”, Indumathi Sridharan, Yin Ma, Taeyoung Kim, William Kobak, Jacob Rotmensch, Rong Wang, Biomaterials 33,1520-1527 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.11.005.
“E-spun Composite Fibers of Collagen and Dragline Silk Protein: Fiber Mechanics, Biocompatibility and Application in Stem Cell Differentiation”, Zhu B., Li W., Lewis R., Segre C., Wang R., Biomacromolecules, 16: 202−213 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1021/bm501403f.