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Prof. Puxiang Lai
PolyU Scholars Hub

Professor Puxiang LAI

Associate Professor

Exploits light and sound to probe and treat biological tissues

PolyU Scholars Hub
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Biography

Prof. Puxiang Lai received his Bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University in 2002, Master's from Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2005, and PhD from Boston University in 2011. In September 2015, he joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a Tenure-track Assistant Professor and was promoted to Tenured Associate Professor in July 2021.

Prof. Lai’s research interests focus on deep-tissue optical focusing, imaging, stimulation, and treatment. Current research projects include, but are not limited to, wavefront shaping, photoacoustic imaging, neuron stimulation, optical computing, and artificial intelligence. His research has fueled more than 80 top journal publications, such as Nature Photonics, Nature Communications, Light: Science & Applications, PhotoniX, Advanced Photonics, Advanced Science, and The Innovation. He has been invited to give more than 90 seminars or invited talks worldwide. Since 2015, his research has been continuously supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC), Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, and Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (STIC).

Prof. Lai was awarded the 2016-2017 Hong Kong RGC Early Career Award, the 2018/2021 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Faculty of Engineering Research Grant Achievement Award, the 2019 PolyU K.C. Wong Belt and Road Visiting Fellowship Award, and the 2020 Hong Kong Polytechnic University Faculty of Engineering Faculty Research Award. As a recognition for his contribution to the field, currently Prof. Lai serves as the Associate Editor of Journal of Visual Computing for Industry, Biomedicine, and Art (VCIBA), Editor of Journal of Innovative Optics in Health and Science (JIOHS), Session Editor of Medicine in Novel Technology and Devices (MEDNTD), Editor of Advanced Photonics Nexus, Youth Editor in The Innovation, Standing Committee Member of the Biomedical Optics Panel in the Chinese Optical Society, Committee Member of the Biomedical Optics Panel in the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering, Senior Member of the Optical Society of America (Optica/OSA), and Guest Professor of Southern Medical University (China).

Research Interests

  • Deep-tissue optics
  • Optical wavefront shaping
  • Photoacoustic/optoacoustic imaging
  • Optical microscopy
  • Optical computing
  • Artificial intelligence

Academic and Professional Experience

  • Associate Professor, Biophotonics Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China, Jul 2021 – current
  • Assistant Professor, Biophotonics Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China, Sep 2015 – Jun 2021
  • Associate Professor, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China, Jan 2017 – Current
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Optical Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, USA, Jul 2010 – Aug 2015
  • Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Physical Acoustics Lab, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, USA, Sep 2005 – Jun 2010
  • Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, Sep 2002 – Jul 2005

Research Outputs

(Please refer to CV for complete list of publications)

[ ] represents equal contribution, # represents corresponding authorship.

  1. Yifan Liu, Panpan Yu, Yijing Wu, Jinghan Zhuang, Ziqiang Wang, Yinmei Li, Puxiang Lai, Jinyang Liang, and Lei Gong#, "Optical Single-Pixel Volumetric Imaging by Three-dimensional Light-Field Illumination", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) (Accepted)
  2. Wenzhao Li, Yunru Yu, Rongkang Huang, Xiaocheng Wang, Puxiang Lai, Kai Chen#, Luoran Shang#, and Yuanjin Zhao#, "Multi-bioinspired functional conductive hydrogel patches for wound healing management", Advanced Science 202301479 (2023).
  3. Shan Jiang, Tianqi Zhang, Yingying Zhou, Puxiang Lai, and Yuan Huang#, "Wearable ultrasound bioelectronics for healthcare monitoring", The Innovation 4(4): 100447 (July 10, 2023).
  4. [Xiazi Huang, Hui Hui], Wenting Shang, Pengli Gao, Yingying Zhou, Weiran Pang, Chi Man Woo, Jie Tian#, and Puxiang Lai#, "Deep penetrating and sensitive targeted magnetic particle imaging and photothermal therapy of early-stage glioblastoma based on a biomimetic nanoplatform", Advanced Science 2300854 (2023).
  5. Huanhao Li, Zhipeng Yu, Tianting Zhong, Shengfu Cheng, and Puxiang Lai#, "Towards ideal focusing of diffused light via optical wavefront shaping", Advanced Photonics 5(2): 020502 (2023)
  6. Xuyu Zhang, Jingjing Gao, Yu Gan, Chunyuan Song, Dawei Zhang#, Songlin Zhuang, Shensheng Han, Puxiang Lai#, and Honglin Liu#, "Different channels to transmit information in scattering media". PhotoniX 4, 10 (2023).
  7. [Qi Zhao, Huanhao Li, Zhipeng Yu], Chi Man Woo, Tianting Zhong, Shengfu Cheng, Yuanjin Zheng, Honglin Liu, Jie Tian#, and Puxiang Lai#, "Speckle-based optical cryptosystem and its application for human face recognition via deep learning", Advanced Science 9(25): 2202047 (2022)
  8. [Zhipeng Yu, Huanhao Li, Tianting Zhong, Jung-Hoon Park], Shengfu Cheng, Chi Man Woo, Qi Zhao, Jing Yao, Yingying Zhou, Xiazi Huang, Weiran Pang, Lefeng Peng, Hanshol Yoon, Yuecheng Shen, Honglin Liu, Yuanjin Zheng, YongKeun Park#, Lihong V. Wang#, and Puxiang Lai#, "Wavefront shaping: A versatile tool to conquer multiple scattering in multidisciplinary fields", The Innovation 3(5): 623-637 (2022)
  9. Zhipeng Yu, Huanhao Li, Tianting Zhong, and Puxiang Lai#, "Enhancing spatiotemporal focusing of light deep inside scattering media with time-gated reflection matrix", Light: Science & Applications 11: 167 (2022)
  10. Wenzhao Li, Junying Lai, Yan Zu, and Puxiang Lai#, "Cartilage-Inspired Hydrogel Lubrication Strategy", The Innovation 3(5): 100275 (2022)
  11. Huanhao Li, Zhipeng Yu, Qi Zhao, Tianting Zhong, and Puxiang Lai#, "Accelerating deep learning with high energy efficiency: from microchip to physical systems", The Innovation 3(4): 100252 (2022)
  12. [Yingying Zhou, Junguo Ni], Chunyi Wen#, and Puxiang Lai#, "Light on Osteoarthritic Joint: From Bench to Bed ", Theranostics 12 (2):542-557 (2022)
  13. Y. Liu, H. Liu, H. Yan, Y. Liu, J. Zhang, W. Shan, P. Lai, H. Li, L. Ren, Z. Li, and L. Nie#, "Aggregation-Induced Absorption Enhancement for Deep Near-Infrared II Photoacoustic Imaging of Brain Gliomas In Vivo," Advanced Science 6, 1801615 (2019)
  14. [Puxiang Lai, Lidai Wang, Jian Wei Tay], and Lihong V. Wang#, "Photoacoustically guided wavefront shaping (PAWS) for enhanced optical focusing in scattering media," Nature Photonics 9, 126-132 (2015).
  15. [Yan Liu, Puxiang Lai], Cheng Ma, Xiao Xu, Alexandra Grabar, and Lihong V. Wang#, "Optical focusing deep inside dynamic scattering media with near-infrared time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) light," Nature Communications 6:5904 (2015).
  1. "Deep-tissue optical focusing towards in vivo by Fast Photoacoustically guided Wavefront Shaping (PAWS)", 2017-2020, 918,597 HKD, Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC), Early Career Scheme, No. 25204416, Hong Kong, 2016 (PI)
  2. "适用于生物组织深层的高分辨率无创光学聚焦及其应用研究", 2017-2020, 580,000 RMB, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC),面上項目, No. 81671726, China, 2016 (PI)
  3. "小动物全身高速光声分子影像设备研制及其应用", 2017-2022, 6,350,000 RMB, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC),國家重大科研儀器研製項目, No. 81627805, China, 2016 (Co-PI; budget 1/3 allocated to me)
  4. "多模光纤快速波前整形技术及其在生物医学成像和传感中的应用前瞻", 2018-2020, 500,000 RMB, Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, 基礎研究-自由探索項目, No. JCYJ20170818104421564, Shenzhen, China, 2018 (PI)
  5. "Development of Aggregation Induced Emission-Boosted Adaptive Optical Microscopy for Enhanced Molecular Imaging", 2019-2020, 1,353,550 HKD, Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Innovation and Technology Support Program, Tier 3, No. ITS/022/18, Hong Kong, 2018 (PI)
  6. "Multiscale photoacoustic molecular imaging for early diagnosis of brain glioma", 2020-2024, 2,970,000 RMB, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 重點項目, No. 81930048, China, 2019 (PI)
  7. "基于多模光纤反射模式传输矩阵的散射光聚焦技术及其在生物医学中的应用初探",2019-2022, 100,000 RMB, 廣東省科學技術廳, 面上項目, No. 2019A1515011374, China, 2019 (PI)
  8. "光纤生物医学传感及成像技术", 2020-2025, 20,000,000 RMB, 廣東省科學技術廳,v廣東特支計劃本土創新創業團隊項目, No. 2019BT02X105, China, 2020 (Co-PI; budget 10% allocated to me)
  9. "Forward-looking intravascular photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging technology for the assessment and guidance of cardiovascular chronic total occlusion intervention", 2020-2024, 6,179,200 HKD, Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC), Research Impact Fund (RIF), No. R5029-19, Hong Kong, 2020 (Co-PI; budget 11.6% allocated to me)
  10. "Multiscale photoacoustic imaging for small animal myocardial microcirculation evaluation", 2021-2023, 2,110,500 HKD, Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Innovation and Technology Fund - Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (ITF-TCFS), No. GHP/043/19SZ, Hong Kong, 2020 (PI)
  11. "Fiber-based small animal head-mounted photoacoustic microscopy)", 2021-2024, 1,898,915 HKD, Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), Innovation and Technology Fund - Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme (ITF-TCFS), No. GHP/044/19GD, Hong Kong, 2020 (PI)
  12. "Reflective multimode fiber-based wavefront shaping and its in vitro demonstrations for minimally invasive high-resolution stimulation and imaging in deep biological tissue", 2022-2024, 563,714 HKD, Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC), General Research Fund (GRF), No. 15217721, Hong Kong, 2021 (PI)
  13. "Unveiling neural activities through spatiotemporally optimized multiphoton (STOMP) microscopy", 2022-2024, 7,883,046 HKD, Hong Kong Research Grant Council (RGC), Collaborative Research Fund (CRF), No. C7074-21GF, Hong Kong, 2022 (Co-PI; budget 12.7% allocated to me)
  14. "多模光纤内窥显微成像技术机理研究", 2023-2025, 1,500,000 RMB, Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission, 基础研究重点项目, No. JCYJ20220818100202005, Shenzhen, China, 2022 (Co-PI; budget 49.8% allocated to me)
  1. 赖溥祥，赵麒，李焕浩，余志鹏，"一种基于光学散斑的加密人脸识别方法与系统"，中国国家知识产权局，专利号ZL202111273688.7，授权公告号CN114117514B（专利申请日2021年10月29日，授权公告日2022年9月13日）
  2. 赖溥祥，孙雷，仲天庭，丘志海，"一种光遗传学实验方法与系统"，中国国家知识产权局，专利号ZL 2019 1 1184827.1，授权公告号CN 112842604 B（专利申请日2019年11月27日，授权公告日2022年12月6日）
  3. Puxiang Lai, Lei Sun, Tian Zhong, and Zhihai Qiu, "Method and system for optogenetics experiments", US Patent No. 11,633,620B2 (granted on April 25, 2023)
  4. Lihong V. Wang, Lidai Wang, Chi Zhang, Puxiang Lai, and Jian Wei Tay, "Systems and Methods of Grueneisen-Relaxation Photoacoustic Microscopy and Photoacoustic Wavefront Shaping", International Patent Number WO 2015/077355 A1/ US Patent No. 20160305914A1 (2016)

Esteem Measures

Selected awards

  • Research Grant Achievement Award (2021), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Faculty of Engineering, March 2023
  • 中國圖學學會第七屆理事會優秀學會工作者獎，中國圖學學會，July 4, 2021
  • The Faculty Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Faculty of Engineering, August 2020
  • K.C. Wong Belt and Road Visiting Fellowship Scheme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, December 2019
  • Research Grant Achievement Award (2016), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Faculty of Engineering, March 2018
  • Hong Kong RGC Early Career Award, October 2016
  • 12th National 1000 Talent Plan Youth Scholar, National Natural Science Foundation of China, January 2016

Journal Editorship

  • Academic Editor, The Innovation Medicine, since 2023
  • Editor, Advanced Photonics Nexus, since 2022
  • Youth Editor, The Innovation (IF=32.1), since 2021
  • Topic Editor, Medicine in Novel Technology and Devices (MEDNTD), since 2020
  • Associate Editor, Journal of Visual Computing for Industry, Biomedicine, and Art (VCIBA; IF=2.8), since 2019
  • Editor, Journal of Innovative Optics in Health and Science (JIOHS; IF=2.5), since 2018

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