Group Member

Jian Zhang

Dr. Jian Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences at North Carolina State University. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago. 

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on the development of advanced biomaterials for drug delivery and tissue engineering. His notable contributions include a hydrogel dressing for scarless wound repair, a photoreactive hydrogel platform for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, and a nanoparticle system for targeted cancer therapy. His work has been published in leading journals such as Advanced Materials, Nature Communications, Advanced Science, and Cell Reports Medicine. 

Dr. Zhang's research has been supported by organizations including the Diabetes Research Connection and the Comparative Medicine Institute. In addition, his innovations have contributed to the founding of Alnair Therapeutics, a biotech startup specializing in tumor-specific drug delivery systems.

Li Wang

Dr. Li Wang hold a PhD degree from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). His research focuses on advanced biomaterials and drug delivery systems, with a strong emphasis on, 1) Wound healing hydrogels for enhanced tissue regeneration. 2) Inhalable nano/micro formulations for targeted lung disease therapy.

Previously, he worked on overcoming biological delivery barriers to improve drug penetration in cancer treatment, along with projects in immunotherapy and anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Embrea Brannon-Vaughan

Hello! My name is Embrea! I am from Greensboro NC, and am a current vet student here at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine! I hold two Bachelor of Science degrees from NC Agricultural and Technical State University in Animal Science and Laboratory Animal Science.

My Focus in veterinary school is mixed animal medicine with a specialization in small animal surgery. A huge goal for me is to find effective surgical techniques to fully remove cancer from certain parts of the body that are deemed impossible or challenging to prolong an animals life.

Outside of school and the lab I love to travel, hike, spend time with family and friends, roller skate, volunteer with Special Olympics or the American Heart Association, and do artistry things like modeling, acting, singing,dancing and painting.

Luke Brown

My Name is Luke Brown, I am from Washington, North Carolina. I am majoring in Biology at NC State with plans to go to medical school. 

I really value helping others and have always wanted to go into the medical field. I want to pursue a career in oncology in order to give hope to people battling cancer. 

Outside of the lab I spend my free time hanging out with friends, playing sports, and volunteering in hospitals.

Reid Vanpelt

My name is Reid VanPelt. I am majoring in Biology at NC state and I am planning to go to medical school after I graduate.

I love to know how things work, how the process of something happens, and most of all how I can use those things together to help people. My career goal is to become an orthopedic surgeon. My passion is to use my skills to help people move better, feel better, and have a better quality of life.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy the outdoors, being with my friends, and working out.

Jimmy Lee

Assistant Professor at National Taiwan University