Zheng Xiong, a Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Ph.D. student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, has been awarded a 2020 Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, for his potential contributions to the field of optics, photonics or a related field.
Zheng Xiong is a doctoral student in the BioInspired Institute research group of Pranav Soman, associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering. His work focuses on the design and development of optics-based 3D printing and bioprinting platforms for a range of applications in biosciences. He also serves as the CTO of 3D Microfluidics LLC and the principal investigator of a Small Business Innovation Research Phase I award by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop and commercialize precision microfluidic devices.
“I want to use the knowledge of optical science to explore unsolved mysteries in biomedical sciences, and ultimately benefit the lives of people around the world,” Xiong says.
“Zheng exemplifies true hard work and a go-getter attitude. Hard-working people inspire and motivate me to invest in their success and professional growth,” Soman says. “I hope his success sets an example for his peers in my lab, Syracuse University and beyond.”
In addition to Soman, Xiong was recommended for the SPIE scholarship by Zhen Ma, assistant professor of biomedical and chemical engineering. “Zheng is a very talented young researcher in the field of optical engineering and 3D printing,” Ma says. “He played an essential role in forging the collaboration between Dr. Soman’s lab and my lab.”
In 2020, the SPIE Society is awarding $298,000 in education scholarships to 78 outstanding SPIE student members, based on their potential contribution to optics and photonics or a related discipline. Xiong is the first student from Syracuse University to receive this competitive and prestigious scholarship.
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering and technology. The society serves more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals and the SPIE Digital Library. In 2019, SPIE provided more than $5.6 million in community support including scholarships and awards, outreach and advocacy programs, travel grants, public policy and educational resources.
By Alex Dunbar, SU News