Shirley Tang

• Nanobiomaterial
• Nanobioelectronics
• Graphene
• Carbon nanotube
• Nanocomposite

Shirley Tang's research interests encompass nanomaterials and nanodevices for biology and medicine, bio-molecule assisted nanomaterial self-assembly, and the health and environmental effects of engineered nanomaterials. Her lab is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments tailored for nanocarbon-based synthesis and characterization and a biosafety II cell culture lab dedicated to the investigation of nanocarbon-biosystem interactions. Her current projects include 

• Nanoporous Membranes and Nanofluidic Devices
• Carbon Nanotube Biosensors
• Synthesis of 3D Hierarchical Materials
• Nano-Bio Hybrids for Tissue Engineering and Medicine

Shirley teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Recent course offerings have included topics in bioelectronics, nanostructured materials, nanoelectronics, nanoscale biosystems and quantum mechanics.

• “A highly efficient and antifouling microfluidic platform for portable hemodialysis devices”, I. R. Ausri, E. Feygin, C. Cheng, Y. Wang, X. S. Tang, MRS Communications, 3, 1-6 (2018).

• “Detection of individual molecules and ions by carbon nanotube-based differential resistive pulse sensor”, R Peng, X. S. Tang, D. Li, Small, 14, 1800013 (2018).

• “3D bioprinting of liver-mimetic construct with alginate/cellulose nanocrystal hybrid bioink”, Y. Wu, Z. Y. Lin, M. K. C. Tam, X. S. Tang, Bioprinting, 9, 1-6 (2018).

• “Probing the non-linear transient response of a carbon nanotube mechanical oscillator”, K. Willick, X. S. Tang, J. Baugh, Applied Physics Letters, 111, 223108 (2017).

• “Carbon Nanomaterial-Enhanced Scaffolds for the Creation of Cardiac Tissue Constructs: A New Frontier in Cardiac Tissue Engineering”, M. D. Dozois, L. C. Bahlmann, Y. Zilberman, X. S. Tang, Carbon, 120, 338-349 (2017).

• “Reversible Gating of Ion Transport Through DNA-Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Membranes”, S. Shadmehr, M. Coleman, B. Liu, J. Liu, X. S. Tang, RSC Advances, 7, 611-616 (2017).

• “Nanobiosensors with electrochemical transducer coupled with gate-keeper membrane”, X. S. Tang, Chinese Patent Application, November, 2015.

• Outstanding Mid-Career Achievements in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, NanoOntario, 2018

• Stars in Global Health, Grand Challenges Canada, 2012

• Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Leader’s Opportunity Award, 2008

• Who’s Who in American Women Award, 1998

• Honored Graduate, HuaZhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1993

• Distinguished Undergraduate Scholarship, HUST, 1989-1993

• ​Member of the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology
• Member of the Water Institute
• Member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
• Member of Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research

• Director, Nanotechnology Engineering Program, 2014–present

• Faculty of Science Foundation – Chemistry representative, 2012-14

The following news stories have featured Shirley Tang's research:

• October 20, 2014:  Food Safety:  Waterloo nanotech device tests for bacteria

• February 12, 2013:  Improving lives at nano-scale

1999 Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

1993 B.S., Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China