CYH CardioStem Lab
Research Field
The Principal Investigator received her Ph.D. from National Tsing Hua University in 2015, with research focused on magnetic micro/nanomaterials and microsystem integration for biomedical and bioinspired applications. Her early work established interdisciplinary expertise spanning materials science, micro/nanoengineering, and biological systems, including the development of magnetic microstructures, magnetoresistive sensors, and cell manipulation platforms.
Following her doctoral training, she was awarded a Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) postdoctoral fellowship to conduct research at Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, USA. During this period, her research focus shifted toward human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiovascular models. By integrating three-dimensional microtissue engineering, chemical modulation strategies, and mechanical/electrophysiological characterization, she demonstrated enhanced maturation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and elucidated the critical role of microenvironmental cues in functional cardiac development (Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 2020).
She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), and maintains active international collaborations with Johns Hopkins University. Since 2021, she has also been affiliated with the Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Center at NCKU College of Medicine. Her research has increasingly focused on hiPSC-based disease modeling, cellular maturation and aging, and gene editing–guided therapeutic strategies.
Her recent research contributions can be summarized into four major areas:
(1) phenotypic maturation and aging of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells;
(2) development of hiPSC-based cardiac disease models and mechanistic studies of pathogenesis;
(3) application of CRISPR and CRISPRi technologies for functional correction in 3D cardiac microtissues; and
(4) innovative applications of magnetic micro/nanostructures for bio-manipulation and bioinspired systems, including work featured as a Frontispiece in Advanced Functional Materials (2015).
Overall, her research trajectory spans from materials and microsystems to stem cell engineering, disease modeling, and gene-editing–based cell therapy, with a strong emphasis on translational applications of hiPSC technologies.
Our laboratory focuses on human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based disease modeling and regenerative medicine. By integrating stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and quantitative imaging analysis, we develop physiologically relevant in vitro models to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and genetic diseases. Using hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, vascular cells, and skin cells, we establish advanced three-dimensional culture systems, including cardiac spheroids and engineered microtissues, to study tissue organization, contractility, and disease-related phenotypes. In addition, we employ gene-editing approaches such as CRISPR-based modulation to explore genotype–phenotype relationships and potential therapeutic strategies. To improve scalability and reproducibility of stem cell-based platforms, our laboratory is also developing artificial intelligence–assisted image analysis tools for automated phenotyping and quality control of stem cell-derived tissues. Through these interdisciplinary approaches, we aim to bridge fundamental stem cell research with translational applications in regenerative medicine, drug screening, and biomedical biotechnology.
- Stem Cell-based Disease Modeling: Our laboratory develops human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cellular models to investigate the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and genetic diseases. By differentiating hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes, vascular cells, and skin cells, we establish patient-specific in vitro systems to study disease phenotypes, cellular dysfunction, and molecular pathways. These platforms enable the investigation of genotype–phenotype relationships and provide a human-relevant model for understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses.
- Tissue Engineering and Cellular Biomechanics: To better recapitulate physiological conditions, we develop three-dimensional engineered tissues, including cardiac spheroids and smooth muscle microtissues. These platforms allow us to study tissue organization, contractility, and biomechanical properties at the cellular and tissue levels. By integrating quantitative imaging and mechanical measurements, we investigate how cellular structure and mechanical forces contribute to disease progression and tissue function.
- AI-Assisted Phenotyping and Precision Regenerative Medicine: Our laboratory integrates artificial intelligence and image-based analysis to enable automated phenotyping and quality control of stem cell-derived tissues. Machine learning and vision-based models are applied to analyze cellular morphology, tissue organization, and functional phenotypes. These approaches aim to improve scalability, reproducibility, and predictive capabilities of stem cell-based platforms for applications in regenerative medicine, drug screening, and biomedical biotechnology.
- Full Member, Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (2020)
- NSTC Young Scholar Cultivation Program Award (2020)
- Travel Award, Biophysical Society 63rd Annual Meeting, USA (2019)
- American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019–2020)
- BCVS Abstract Travel Award, Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Council, American Heart Association, USA
- Assistant Professor
Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology,
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan
Feb 2020 – Present - Research Associate
Department of Biomedical Engineering / Related Program,
Johns Hopkins University, USA
Feb 2020 – Present - Postdoctoral Fellow
Johns Hopkins University, USA
Jul 2016 – Jan 2020 - Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Power Mechanical Engineering,
National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan
Jul 2015 – Jun 2016 - Ph.D. in Power Mechanical Engineering
National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan
Aug 2011 – Jul 2015 - B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology
Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
Sep 2007 – Jun 2011
Job Description
The intern will receive hands-on training in 3D tissue models and functional assays, including imaging-based analysis and basic data interpretation. Additional exposure may include experimental design, troubleshooting, and participation in lab meetings. Through this internship, the student will gain experience in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and translational research approaches, with opportunities to contribute to ongoing projects. The intern may also participate in image-based analysis and AI-assisted evaluation of stem cell-derived tissues, gaining exposure to interdisciplinary approaches combining biology and data science.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Graduate students (Master’s or PhD level) with a background in biology, biotechnology, or biomedical sciences.
Skill sets or Qualities
Basic laboratory experience is preferred, particularly completion of hands-on laboratory courses. Familiarity with cell culture, molecular biology techniques, or sterile technique is a plus.