Welcome to our Soft Materials and Bio-Electronics (SMBE) Lab at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou). We are a highly interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers dedicated to advancing soft bioelectronics for precision healthcare at the intersection of materials science, biology, electronics, mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and data science. Our research centers on developing multifunctional soft materials, multimodal closed-loop bioelectronic devices, and cost-effective, scalable bio-manufacturing approaches for novel tissue-like bioelectronic systems with unprecedented characteristics to bring solutions to grand challenges faced in healthcare. Specifically, our current research is structured around three integrated thrusts: (i) the development of novel soft biomaterials with built-in multifunctionality for long-term biocompatible and dynamically reliable biotic-abiotic interfacing; (ii) the creation and validation of customized multimodal closed-loop bioelectronics capable of simultaneously capturing multiple physiological signals and delivering feedback-driven therapeutic interventions—targeting early diagnosis, timely intervention, and proactive management of heart diseases, chronic wounds, elderly care, brain/neural interfacing, and beyond; and (iii) the exploration of innovative, cost-effective, scalable manufacturing methods for customized soft bioelectronics, enabling disposable (single-use) devices and enhancing accessibility and affordability in real-world scenarios. More details can be found here.

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Our SMBE lab is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where researchers are encouraged to explore new ideas and develop innovative solutions. We believe that by working together, we can achieve breakthroughs. Our lab values creativity and curiosity, empowering every team member to contribute to our shared goals. We continually seek passionate and motivated undergraduate, master's, Ph.D., and postdoctoral researchers who share our vision and enthusiasm. If you are interested in contributing to cutting-edge research in bioelectronics, please contact Prof. Zheng Yan at yanzheng@missouri.edu with your resume. Join us in advancing precision healthcare and enhancing the quality of life through pioneering bioelectronic technologies—we look forward to hearing from you!​

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Established in 1839 as the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System, Mizzou is one of the 71 distinguished members of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and one of the nation's top-tier Research 1 (R1) Universities by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Mizzou is among just six public universities in the U.S., with schools of medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, agriculture, and a university hospital located on a single campus. As part of its commitment to fostering academic excellence, Mizzou recently launched the MizzouForward initiative, investing $1.5 billion to substantially enhance its research and educational missions. Our SMBE Lab is proud to be part of this vibrant research community, actively contributing to transformative advancements in healthcare and bioelectronics.