About This Seminar
As neuroscientists increasingly recognize ultrasound's potential for non-invasive brain imaging and modulation, MIT's community has expressed growing interest in this emerging field. This seminar introduces MIT researchers and students to cutting-edge applications of ultrasound technology in neuroscience and fills a critical knowledge gap by offering expert perspectives on practical applications.
Featured Speakers
Yaoheng "Mack" Yang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor · Dept. of Biomedical Engineering · University of Southern California (USC)
Acoustic Transparency Enabling Functional Ultrasound Imaging Through Mouse and Human Skulls
▶ Abstract
The skull poses a fundamental barrier to ultrasound-based brain imaging by strongly attenuating and aberrating acoustic waves, preventing functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI) from achieving its broad adaptation and translation. Here, we present an acoustic transparency concept to enable microscale trans-skull fUSI. A brief topical application of an FDA-approved chelating agent restores trans-skull transmission to 94.0 ± 4.4% of the free-field level and substantially reduces distortion by modulating the skull's acoustic impedance and sound speed to closely match those of brain tissue. Building on this strategy, we developed AM-fUSI (acoustic-transparent microscale functional ultrasound imaging), which attains ~20 µm resolution through the skull and enables brain-wide, sensitive detection of neural activation. The method is label-free, safe, reversible, and supports longitudinal imaging; we further demonstrate feasibility in the ex vivo human skull.
▶ Biography
Dr. Yang joined the USC faculty in January 2025 after earning his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis (2022, Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award). His research integrates acoustic physics, electrical engineering, and genetic engineering to advance ultrasound neuromodulation and high-resolution functional imaging. His work has appeared in Nature Metabolism, PNAS, and Radiology, and has been featured by The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian.
Dian Li, M.S.E.
Chee C. Tung (1966) Ph.D. Fellow · Dept. of Mechanical Engineering · MIT | Advisor: Prof. Xuanhe Zhao
Dexterous Hand Tracking Using Wearable Wrist Ultrasonic Imaging
▶ Abstract
The human hand is dexterous and versatile, allowing it to interact with physical and virtual environments. Current techniques based on cameras, strain/inertial sensors, and electromyography have significant limitations. Here we report a fully integrated, wireless, wearable ultrasound imaging wristband combined with an AI algorithm. The wristband continuously tracks arbitrary hand configurations of the five fingers and palm in real time during daily activities with a delay of less than 120 ms — and can be used for intuitive, versatile control in virtual-reality and robotic-hand applications.
▶ Biography
Dian is a first-year Ph.D. student in MIT Mechanical Engineering developing intelligent wearable biointerfaces. His research focuses on wearable ultrasound systems for decoding hand motion by imaging muscle and tendon deformation. His broader interests span miniaturized ultrasonic wearables, AI-based physiological signal decoding, VR/AR interfaces, and sign language translation. He holds an M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins (2025) and dual B.Sc. degrees from Guangdong Technion–Israel Institute of Technology (2022).
Organizer
CZ
Host: Chaoyi Zhang
Postdoctoral Fellow, Guoping Feng Lab · MIT
zhangcy@mit.edu
zhangcy@mit.edu
Supported by the MIT School of Science Quality of Life Program (Spring 2026) and Feng Lab