CV

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2022–present
- Advisor: Prof. Bozhi Tian
- Research: Bioelectronics, wearable therapeutics, gaseous drug delivery, human-computer interaction
B.S. in Chemistry, Nanjing University, 2018–2022

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant, Tian Lab, University of Chicago (2022–present)
- Developed the first wearable hydrogel electrochemical cell for localized, sustained gaseous drug delivery (H₂ via HER), published in Nature Chemical Engineering (2025)
- Currently building a smart electronic mattress for bedsore prevention and treatment
- Contributed to studies on semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical biomodulation published in Nature (2024) and Nature Nanotechnology (2025)
Research Intern, Futurewei Technologies, Inc. (Summer 2024)
- Received the Outstanding Intern Award (3 of ~35 interns)
Collaborative Researcher, Lopes Lab, University of Chicago (2023–present)
- Working with Prof. Pedro Lopes (Computer Science) on haptic wearables and wearable interaction
- Designing devices that modulate human perception through controlled electrical and chemical stimulation
Undergraduate Researcher, Cheng-Hui Li Lab, Nanjing University (2020–2022)
- Designed and synthesized a high-performance coordination adaptable network (CoAN) for recyclable structural composites, published in CCS Chemistry (2022)

Publications

Hydrogen Evolution and Dynamics in Hydrogel Electrochemical Cells for Ischemia-Reperfusion Therapy

Wen Li, Jing Zhang, et al., B Tian. (2025). "Hydrogen Evolution and Dynamics in Hydrogel Electrochemical Cells for Ischemia-Reperfusion Therapy." Nature Chemical Engineering.

Gold-modified nanoporous silicon for photoelectrochemical regulation of intracellular condensates

Jing Zhang, Pengju Li, Jiping Yue, Lingyuan Meng, Wen Li, et al., Bozhi Tian. (2025). "Gold-modified nanoporous silicon for photoelectrochemical regulation of intracellular condensates." Nature Nanotechnology.

Monolithic silicon for high spatiotemporal translational photostimulation

Pengju Li, Jing Zhang, Hidenori Hayashi, Jiping Yue, Wen Li, et al., Bozhi Tian. (2024). "Monolithic silicon for high spatiotemporal translational photostimulation." Nature.

Perspectives on Multiscale Colloid-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

Wen Li, Judah Huberman-Shlaes, B Tian. (2023). "Perspectives on Multiscale Colloid-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications." Langmuir.

A Strong and Rigid Coordination Adaptable Network that Can Be Reprocessed and Recycled at Mild Conditions

Wen Li, Hong-Qin Wang, Wen-Tong Gao, et al., Cheng-Hui Li. (2022). "A Strong and Rigid Coordination Adaptable Network that Can Be Reprocessed and Recycled at Mild Conditions." CCS Chemistry.

Awards and Honors

MRS Gold Graduate Student Award, Materials Research Society, 2025
Best Poster Award, 2025 MRS Fall Meeting, 2025
Schmidt Science Fellows Nominee, 2026 cohort (nominated 2025)
Benjamin Ball Freud Merit Scholarship, UChicago Chemistry Department, 2025
Outstanding Intern Award (3 of ~35), Futurewei Technologies, Inc., 2024
Exceptional Team Leader, Academic Service Department, Chemistry Student Union, Nanjing University
Exceptional Freshman Mentor and Friend, Nanjing University

Entrepreneurship

Co-founder & CTO, H-Pad (2024–present)
- Developing a wearable medical device for bedsore prevention and treatment
- Winner, University of Chicago College New Venture Challenge (Phase II, $5,000 seed funding)

Service

Peer Reviewer: ACS Nano (American Chemical Society), Device (Cell Press), since May 2024
Teaching Assistant, Nanjing University (2021–2022)
- Organic Chemistry; Physical Chemistry Laboratory; Chemical Kinetics
- Delivered weekly recitations, supervised 30+ students in laboratory, held weekly office hours
Team Leader, Academic Service Department, Chemistry Student Union, Nanjing University
- Organized 5+ academic seminars and 2+ exam review sessions

Skills

Fabrication & Materials: hydrogel synthesis, electrochemical device fabrication, silicon nanofabrication, colloid assembly
Characterization: SEM, TEM, AFM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry
Biology: cell culture, ex vivo organ models, in vivo rodent surgery, fluorescence imaging
Computing: Python, MATLAB, Arduino/microcontroller programming
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (native), English (fluent)