The N-LAB is building a multidisciplinary team of talented scientists and engineers interested in pursuing innovative ideas to understand brain functions better. We will engage to provide researchers and trainees a supportive and inclusive environment. Regardless of gender, race, origins, prior knowledge, we will try to make sure all lab members feel they belong to the lab family.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
NAN LI, PH.D.
Email | NE3.222
Nan received her B.S. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, and her Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, both in Biomedical Engineering. After postdoctoral training at MIT, in 2021, she joined UT Southwestern as an Assistant Professor, an endowed Thomas O. Hicks Scholar in Medical Research, in the Advanced Imaging Research Center, the Department of Neuroscience, and O’Donnel Brain Institute at UT Southwestern. Nan was selected as 20 McGovern Rising Stars at MIT in 2020. Nan is the recipient of the Harvard Chinese Life Sciences Distinguished Research Award, the Stanley Fahn Research Fellowship, Women in Bio Robbie Melton Scholarship Award, and the UT System Rising STARs Award.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
DENG ZHANG, PH.D.
Email | NE3.200
Deng received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Institute of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China. He has previously studied the plasticity of cortical neurons in the visual system. Besides doing research in the lab, he is a big fan of basketball and many other sports.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
MUDITHA RATHNAYAKA, PH.D.
Email | NE3.200
Muditha received his B.S. in physical science, M.S. in Medical Physics, and Ph.D. in Bio-Medical Imaging Physics, from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has previously worked on abdominal imaging, MRI pulse development, medical image analysis, and machine learning. Apart from research, he enjoys being an aviation geek.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
SAMMY Z. HAKAM
Email | NE3.200
Sammy is a junior student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. He hopes to develop his research interest through being a part of the research process in the lab. His hobbies include sketching, gaming, and wood and metal working.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
YEISON RODRIGUEZ
Email | NE3.200
Yeison received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, in 2022. He is interested in novel MRI imaging techniques, image processing, and nephrology. In his spare time, Yeison enjoys playing billiards.
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
JING WANG, B.S.
Email | NE3.200
Jing received her B.S. from Yanjing Correspondence Medical College in China. Before joining the N-LAB, she worked in Dr. James Basilion’s Laboratory in the Department of Radiology at Case Western Reserve University.
SUMMER STUDENT
DAYELIN NAVARRO
Email | NE3.200
Dayelin received her B.S in Psychology from the University of North Texas in 2022. She is an aspiring neuropsychologist and enjoys learning about neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, and their effects on degenerative neurological diseases. Dayelin also enjoys biking, bowling, badminton, photography, and travel.
YOU!
Postdoctoral trainees, graduate and undergraduate students, visiting research scholars are welcome to join our team! Postdoctoral candidates must have a Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering/bioengineering, or equivalent doctoral degree in neuroscience, electrical and computer engineering, biochemistry, or a related field, prior to the effective date of the appointment. Highly motivated and talented candidates are welcome to apply. Background with MRI /Neuroscience /Synthetic Biology will be a plus.
Interested applicants should send an email to Dr. Nan Li, with a CV, contact information for three references, and a brief statement of research achievements, interests, and career plans.