Shirley Tang

Shirley Tang
Professor, Associate Dean of Science (Research)
Location: QNC 4618
Phone: 519-888-4567 x38037

Biography

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

Research Interests

  • Nanobiomaterial
  • Nanobioelectronics
  • Graphene
  • Carbon nanotube
  • Nanocomposite
  • Disease Detection and Modeling
  • Epidemiology and Digital Health
  • Smart Materials
  • Biomaterials, Polymers and Bioplastics
  • AI assisted Materials Development
  • Thernostic Materials
  • Bionanotechnology and Biosensors
  • Devices and Analytical Methods
  • Smart and Functional Materials
  • Molecular Therapeutics and Theranostics
  • Nanomaterials
  • 3D Bioprinting

Education

  • 1999 Ph.D., Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
  • 1993 B.Sc., Chemistry, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Awards

  • 2022 Research Leaders Award, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
  • 2022 Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Women’s Executive Network (WXN)
  • 2021 Research Leaders Award, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
  • 2018 Outstanding Achievements of Women in Nanosciences: Mid-Career Award, NanoOntario
  • 2012 Stars in Global Health, Grand Challenges Canada
  • 2008 Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Leader’s Opportunity Award
  • 1998 Who’s Who in American Women Award
  • 1993 Honored Graduate, HuaZhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)
  • 1989-93 Distinguished Undergraduate Scholarship, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, China

Service

  • Associate Dean of Science (Research), Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, 2018-present
  • Director, Nanotechnology Engineering Program, University of Waterloo, 2014–2017
  • Faculty of Science Foundation – Chemistry representative, 2012-2014

Professional Associations

  • International Journal of Bioprinting, editorship, special issue “Convergence of 3D Bioprinting and Nanotechnology”
  • Exploration of BioMat-X, Editorial Board Member
  • Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC)
  • Canadian Biomaterials Society (CBS)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Materials Research Society (MRS)
  • IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS), Technical Committee Member of the Bionanotechnology and BioMEMS (BNM) Technical Community

Affiliations and Volunteer Work

  • Member, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology
  • Member, The Water Institute
  • Member, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
  • Member, Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research

Teaching*

  • CHEM 750 - Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry
    • Taught in 2024
  • NE 232 - Quantum Mechanics
    • Taught in 2019
  • NE 486 - Biosensors
    • Taught in 2022, 2023

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

Selected/Recent Publications

  • “Recent Advances and Challenges: Translational Research of Minimally Invasive Wearable Biochemical Sensors”, I. Ausri, Y. Zilberman-Simakov, X. S. Tang*, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, submitted (2022).
  • “Micro-Extrusion 3D Printing of Hydrophilic and Rapidly Curing Silicone-based Materials Mimicking the Mechanical and Multizonal Structure of the Articular Cartilage”, H. Golzar, Y. Wu, X. S. Tang*, Advanced Healthcare Materials, submitted (2022).
  • “Highly Accurate Heart Failure Classification Using Carbon Nanotube Thin Film Biosensors and Machine Learning Assisted Data Analysis”, Z. Guo, R. Tian, W. Xu, D. Yip, M. Radyk, F. B. Santos, A. Yip, T. Chen*, X. S. Tang*, Biosensors and Bioelectronics X, 12, 100187 (2022).
  • “Embedded 3D Printing of Ultrasound-Compatible Arterial Phantoms with Biomimetic Elasticity”, Y. Wu, A. Chee, H. Golzar, A. Yu, X. S. Tang*, Advanced Functional Materials, 32, 2110153 (2022).
  • “Development of a Hybrid Nanoink for 3D Bioprinting of Heterogeneous Tumor Models”, A. C. Burkholder-Wenger, H. Golzar, Y. Wu, X. S. Tang*, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 8, 777-785 (2022).
  • View all Shirley Tang's publications on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=8SLi0t4AAAAJ&hl=en

Patents

  • “3D printable, UV-curable, hydrophilic viscoelastic silicone”, X. S. Tang, H. Golzar, Provisional Patent #63/475328, November 1, 2022.
  • “Biosensors comprising a gate-keeper membrane”, X. S. Tang, U. S. Patent 10883983, January 5, 2021.
  • “Biosensor for the detection of an analyte”, X. S. Tang, PCT international Application No. CA2019050595, May 3, 2019.
  • “Carbon nanotube coatings for visible and ir camouflage”, US Patent Application No. 13/637119.

In The News