Group Member

Jian Zhang

jzhan257@ncsu.edu

Dr. Jian Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences at NCSU and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC&NCSU. 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

lwang85@ncsu.edu

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.

Cong Meng

cmeng2@ncsu.edu

Cong Meng is a doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on:

1. 3D print hydrogels: develop functionalized, 3D-printed hydrogel organoid and organ-on-chip platforms that engineer the local microenvironment to model disease-relevant barrier functions and enable quantitative, high-throughput evaluation of therapeutic delivery and response.

2. Long-acting local lung drug delivery systems in asthma : inhalable microparticles designed to sustain efficacy in chronic airway disease and response.

Ashley (Yanqi) Guo

yguo38@ncsu.edu

Ashley Guo is a PhD student in the Lampe Joint Biomedical Engineering Program at UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University. She received her BS from UC Davis and her MEng from Cornell University. Her research focuses on the development and application of biomaterials for disease modeling and targeted therapeutic delivery. 

Her current projects involve developing hydrogel models of asthmatic airways and engineering peptide therapeutics with targeted intestinal delivery for celiac disease. Before her PhD, she conducted cancer research focused on targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Outside the lab, Ashley enjoys crocheting, knitting, and gaming.

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.

Grant Ozaki

Grant Ozaki is a senior at North Carolina State University (NCSU) pursuing a Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering and a minor in nanoscience and technology. He received the 2025 Rising Leader of the Year Award at NCSU in recognition of his active involvement in numerous student organizations including Engineers Without Borders and Consult Your Community.

Grant previously conducted research in brain-inspired computing, gaining hands-on experience with materials and developing a passion for interfacing materials with biology. He anticipates beginning a Ph.D. in the fall of 2027.

Currently, he applies materials science and chemistry to the development of nanomaterials for targeted disease therapy and enhanced tissue regeneration as part of the Zhang Research Group.

Naina Anumandla

Naina Anumandla is a senior at NC State University pursuing a bachelor's in Animal Science with a minor in Nutrition. During her time at NC State, she has been involved in various research projects that have allowed her to gain experience in areas including nutrition physiology, gastrointestinal health, and canine neuroaging.

After graduating, Naina intends to pursue a Master of Science degree, with interests in animal health, biotechnology, and biomedical research. She hopes to continue developing her research experience and contribute to advancing the understanding of animal health and diseases.

Noam Cohen

Noam Cohen is a first-year engineering student at NC State intending to pursue a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. He graduated from Riverside High School in Durham, NC. Before coming to NC State, he participated in the Duke Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, where he contributed to research on medical treatment practices for GER in preterm infants and a resulting peer-reviewed publication. 

His interests include drug development, drug delivery, and the development of new medical treatments. Outside of the lab, he enjoys playing pickleball, basketball, and board games.

Kenneth Adler

Professor at NCSU CVM

Dr. Adler has spent more than three decades investigating respiratory airways and the problem of excess mucus production. He is one of the world’s foremost researchers in the field of airway disease and a top-ranked biomedical scientist whose achievements have the potential to significantly improve the lives of people with severe respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis.

Ian Williamson

Assistant Professor at NCSU CVM

Jimmy Lee

Assistant Professor at National Taiwan University