Mengying Zhang

As a graduate student in Elizabeth Nance's lab in the department of chemical engineering, Mengying studied how quantum dots – fluorescent nanoparticles capable of capturing the movement of cells – behave in the brain. By characterizing the stability and toxicity of quantum dots in a biological setting, Mengying supported the development of quantum dots as brain-imaging tools and drug delivery carriers that they may be used to detect and treat brain diseases. She served in a variety of roles in Engage, a program at the University of Washington designed to help graduate students build their science communication skills. Mengying graduated in 2020 and is currently a Postdoc with Dr. Viviana Gradinaru at Caltech.