avatar

Wu Zeng（曾武）

Ph.D. Candidate | Tsinghua University

Wu Zeng

China University Students’ Self-Improvement Star (featured by People’s Daily, China Youth Daily, etc.)
Selected for the 2025 CAST Young S&T Talent Development Program (PhD Track)

Born Sep 2002 · Hengyang, Hunan, China · Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC)
📞 +86 180 0747 6572   |   ✉️ zeng-w22@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn

Education

  • Sep 2022 – Present Direct PhD Student (in progress), Tsinghua University — Biomedical Engineering

    • Research interests: integrated microfluidic systems & point-of-care testing (POCT); nanopore sequencing & automated library preparation

  • Sep 2018 – Jul 2022 B.Eng., Dalian Maritime University (Project 211) — Marine Engineering (Seagoing Track)

    • Core coursework: mechanical design, fluid mechanics, marine automation, ship electrical equipment & systems, etc.

Research Experience

  • Dec 2021 – Present School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University

    • Advisor: Peng Liu (Research Professor; Party Committee Secretary)
    • Led development of an ultra-sensitive, multi-target integrated nucleic-acid testing system (with Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University) for emerging major infectious pathogens in pediatrics; achieved stable sensitivity of 10 copies/mL and on-demand parallel detection of 10–20 pathogens.
    • Led development of China’s first fully integrated forensic SNP rapid-testing instrument (with the Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science); reconstructs macroscopic phenotypic traits from trace biological evidence; DNA-to-≥200 SNP genotypes in <4 hours.
    • Led development of a fully automated portable NGS library-prep instrument (with PLA General Hospital & Astronaut Research and Training Center) for frontline and space-station environmental surveillance of X pathogens; sample-in to library-out with real-time reporting in 4–7 hours.
    • Led development of a fully integrated organoid generation, culture, and drug-sensitivity analysis system; >90% in-hospital organoid establishment success rate for puncture/biopsy samples; delivers drug-sensitivity results within ~1 week.

  • Dec 2020 – Dec 2021 Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

    • Advisor: Bingcheng Lin (Research Professor)
    • Contributed to a digital microfluidic (DMF) “droplet CPU” platform; built spatially resolved antibody barcode arrays on the hydrophobic layer of DMF electrode plates for multiplex protein detection.

  • Jun 2019 – Dec 2020 Microfluidic Chip Laboratory, Dalian Maritime University

    • Advisor: Zhijian Liu (Professor)
    • Led development of a portable rapid ballast-water testing device; applied microfluidic separation for sample pretreatment in ballast-water inspection.

Industry / Social Enterprise Experience

  • Dec 2021 – Present Beijing Zijing Biotechnology Co., Ltd. — Technical Consultant
    • Co-developed a “Bioaerosol Novel Coronavirus Monitoring System,” supporting Beijing Winter Olympics operations and infection control in fever clinics; received the Outstanding Paper Award at the 2023 National Conference on Disinfection & Infection Control.
    • Led/participated in joint R&D with multiple partners on: (1) at-home nucleic-acid rapid-test POCT, (2) integrated respiratory multiplex testing, (3) automated nucleic-acid extraction workstation, and (4) an integrated extraction-to-library-prep system.
    • Delivered chip-technology interfacing, instrument/system design, temperature control, and fluorescence excitation/detection prototyping; coordinated cross-functional teams (instrument, chip, reagents, process); contributed to roadmap planning, standards setting, QC design, cost control, and manufacturing process optimization.

Skills

  • Opto-mechatronic instrument design; system architecture, build/bring-up, debugging, and productization experience
  • Microfluidic chip design (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) and fabrication (PDMS / PMMA / PC)
  • Mechatronics control hardware (Altium Designer) and programming (LabVIEW)
  • Molecular biology experiments (ELISA; qPCR/RT-qPCR; RPA; LAMP) and cell culture
  • 3D modeling & rendering (3ds Max, Corona); video editing (Premiere Pro); illustration/design (Illustrator, Photoshop)
  • Professional English reading & writing (CET-6); extensive experience drafting English journal manuscripts
  • Public speaking and event organization; multiple science outreach engagements

Publications

Journal Articles (Published)

  1. Wang, S., Liu, Z., Wu, S., Sun, H., Zeng, W., Wei, J., Fan, Z., Sui, Z., Liu, L., & Pan, X. (2021). Microalgae separation by inertia-enhanced pinched flow fractionation. Electrophoresis, 42(21–22), 2223–2229. (SCI Q2, IF=2.8)
  2. Lin, B., Geng, Z., Chen, Y., Zeng, W., Li, B., Zhang, Y., & Liu, P. (2023). A fully integrated nucleic acid analysis system for multiplex detection of genetic polymorphisms related to folic acid metabolism. Lab on a Chip, 23(7), 1794–1803. (SCI Q1, IF=6.1)
  3. Lin, B.*, Li, B.*, Zeng, W., Zhao, Y., Li, H., Gu, Y., & Liu, P. (2024). Needle-Plug/Piston-Based Modular Mesoscopic Design Paradigm Coupled With Microfluidic Device for Point-of-Care Pooled Testing. Advanced Science, e2406076. (SCI Q1, IF=14.3)
  4. Li, B., Lin, B., Wang, Y., Shi, Y.*, Zeng, W., Zhao, Y., Gu, Y., Liu, C., Gao, H., Cheng, H., Zheng, X., Xiang, G., Wang, G., & Liu, P. (2024). Multi-scenario surveillance of respiratory viruses in aerosols with sub-single-copy spatial resolution. Nature Communications, 15(1), 8770. (SCI Q1, IF=16.6)
  5. Li, B., Lin, B.*, Zeng, W.*, Gu, Y., Zhao, Y., & Liu, P. (2025). A fully integrated microfluidic cartridge for rapid and ultrasensitive nucleic acid detection from oropharyngeal swabs. Lab on a Chip, 25(3), 454–464. (SCI Q1, IF=6.1)
  6. Zeng, W.*, Li, B.*, Chen, Y.*, Lin, B., Gu, X., Liu, P., & Zhang, Y. (2025). A finger-actuated microfluidic system for point-of-care detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A. Analytical Chemistry, 97(34), 18469–18478. (SCI Q1, IF=6.7)
  7. Li, B., Gu, X.*, Zeng, W.*, Lin, B., Liu, X., Lim, C. T., & Liu, P. (2025). Ultrasensitive Nucleic Acid Testing: From Foundational Research to Clinical Translation. ACS Nano, 19(47), 40304–40344. (SCI Q1, IF=15.8)

Manuscripts (Under Review / In Preparation)

  1. Li, B.*, Zeng, W.*, et al. Spatial microfluidic matrix for hierarchical molecular diagnostics. (Nature, in peer review.)
  2. Li, B.*, Zeng, W.*, et al. Ultrasensitive diagnosis of herpesviruses in cerebrospinal fluid via cascade nucleic acid purification within a fully integrated microfluidic system. (Microsystems & Nanoengineering, in peer review.)
  3. Zeng, W.*, Li, B.*, Liu, X., Gu, X., et al. AI-driven integrated microfluidic cartridge for rapid multiplex pathogen detection. (Preparing for submission to Science Advances.)
  4. Zeng, W.*, Li, B.*, Liu, X., Gu, X., et al. An ultra-multiplex SNP genotyping system for on-site DNA phenotyping. (Preparing for submission to Science Advances.)

Patents (Selected)

  1. Liu, P.; Zeng, W.; Lin, B.; Li, B.; Zhao, Y. Pathogen nucleic acid analysis device. CN115747031A, Mar 7, 2023. (Granted)
  2. Liu, P.; Li, B.; Zeng, W.; Lin, B.; Zhao, Y. Aerosol sampling and loading device and method. CN115725394A, Mar 3, 2023.
  3. Liu, P.; Li, B.; Lin, B.; Zeng, W.; Zhao, Y. Microfluidic cartridge and method for specific nucleic-acid detection from complex samples. CN115820412A, Mar 21, 2023. (Granted)
  4. Liu, P.; Li, B.; Lin, B.; Zeng, W.; Zhao, Y. Automatic aerosol pathogen monitoring device, system and monitoring method. CN115825026A, Mar 21, 2023.
  5. Zeng, W.; Lin, B.; Li, B.; Shen, G. Cascade reagent sequential-injection tube assembly and injection control method. CN117816266A, Apr 5, 2024.
  6. Zeng, W.; Li, B.; Lin, B.; Shen, G. Cascade reagent mixing/injection tube assembly. CN117696139A, Mar 15, 2024.
  7. Zeng, W.; Li, B.; Shen, G. Microfluidic chip and control method. CN118558379A, Jun 9, 2024.
  8. Li, B.; Zeng, W.; Lin, B.; Shen, G. Needle-piercing rubber-seal valve with integrated spring and its control method. CN117548161A, Feb 13, 2024.
  9. Li, B.; Zeng, W.; Shen, G. Microfluidic chip for pathogen lysis and nucleic-acid extraction and its extraction method. CN118546742A, Aug 27, 2024.
  10. Li, B.; Zeng, W.; Shen, G. Reagent tube with multiple reagent storage chambers. CN118558378A, Jun 16, 2024.
  11. Liu, P.; Zeng, W.; Li, B. Microfluidic chip with a quantitative reagent-aspiration unit and control method. CN2024108298493, Jun 25, 2024. (Granted)
  12. Liu, P.; Li, B.; Zeng, W. Microfluidic cartridge and method for nucleic-acid testing based on two-stage purification. CN202410844787.3, Jun 27, 2024.
  13. Zeng, W.; Li, B.; Shen, G. Microfluidic chip with a quantitative reagent-aspiration unit and control method. CN2024107406221, Jun 9, 2024.
  14. Zeng, W.; Li, B.; Shen, G. Microfluidic chip and method enabling quantitative reagent aspiration. CN2024107406077, Jun 9, 2024.
  15. Zeng, W.; Li, B.; Shen, G. Microfluidic chip and method enabling quantitative reagent aspiration. CN2024107406043, Jun 9, 2024.
  16. Li, B.; Zeng, W.; Shen, G. Composite pathogen lysis device. CN202410844787.3, Jun 9, 2024.
  17. Li, B.; Zeng, W.; Shen, G. Microfluidic chip and control method. CN2024107405727, Jun 16, 2024.
  18. Zeng, W.; Wang, S.; Xing, Z.; Zhu, Z.; Sun, H.; Li, W.; Han, F.; Zhou, X.; Lin, S. Six-wheeled obstacle-crossing data-collection vehicle. CN210707692U, Jun 9, 2020.
  19. Chen, L.; Yin, Y.; Liu, L.; Zheng, J.; Wang, S.; Zeng, W.; Liu, Z. Multi-parameter integrated oil contaminant detection device based on phase-shifting technique. CN211235639U, Aug 11, 2020.
  20. Li, W.; Han, F.; Lin, S.; Yue, Y.; Ge, Y.; Zeng, W.; Liu, X.; Li, G.; Ye, H.; Chen, H. Chain stopper and method of use. CN111332409B, Sep 19, 2023. (Granted)

Awards & Honors

PhD Period (Sep 2022 – Present)

  • Dec 2025 Selected for the 2025 CAST Young S&T Talent Development Program (PhD Track)
  • Oct 2025 National Scholarship for Graduate Students (Tsinghua University)
  • Sep 2025 4th Beijing College Students Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition — Third Prize
  • Jul 2025 China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (Beijing Division) — Second Prize
  • Nov 2024 Tsinghua Graduate Comprehensive Scholarship — Second Class
  • Jul 2024 China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (Beijing Division) — First Prize
  • May 2024 Tsinghua Engineering Doctoral Forum — Outstanding Poster Award
  • Nov 2023 Tsinghua Graduate Comprehensive Scholarship — First Class
  • Jun 2023 4th Capital Universities Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition — Bronze Award
  • Dec 2022 Tsinghua “Med-Engineering Integration” Innovation Competition (1st Edition) — Third Prize

Undergraduate Period (Sep 2018 – Sep 2022)

  • Nov 2019 National Inspirational Scholarship (Top 1%, three consecutive years)
  • Nov 2019 DMU Scholarship (EQ Category) — First Class (two consecutive years, 1/238)
  • Sep 2019 National College Student Science & Technology Innovation Competition (Team Leader) — National First Prize
  • Oct 2020 4th National Innovation Methods Application Competition (Team Leader) — National First Prize
  • Nov 2020 12th “Challenge Cup” Business Plan Competition — National First Prize
  • Oct 2019 6th “Chuangqingchun” China Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition (Team Leader) — National Second Prize
  • Aug 2020 11th China College Students Service Outsourcing Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition (Team Leader) — National Second Prize
  • Oct 2019 13th iCAN International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition (Team Leader) — National Third Prize
  • Nov 2020 6th “Internet+” College Students Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition (Team Leader) — National Third Prize
  • Oct 2020 National College Student Physics Experiment Competition — National Third Prize
  • Oct 2022 Outstanding Graduate of Liaoning Province; China University Students’ Self-Improvement Star

Leadership & Service

  • Mar 2024 – Present Tsinghua PhD Student Lecturer Corps: Gold Lecturer, Healthcare Subgroup Lead; “Top Ten Trainee”; Class Monitor; Cohort Lecturer & Teaching Assistant
    • Launched 5 courses (including 4 featured courses); delivered 30+ talks reaching ~10,000 participants; a themed lecture series was covered by CCTV.
  • Sep 2024 – Present Secretary of the Youth League Branch (Class of 2022, Biomedical Engineering PhD); Organizational Committee Member of the Party Branch
  • Jan 2025 – Present Tsinghua University dual-role Political Counselor (part-time); Party-building assistant / operations assistant / cohort assistant, School of Biomedical Engineering
  • Sep 2019 – Sep 2021 Captain, Dalian Maritime University Diving Team; maintained three years of morning training and completed all water-performance tasks
  • Sep 2018 – Dec 2021 Member, Work-Study Center & Tutoring Service Center (DMU); fully self-financed college expenses through work-study

Certificates

  • Dec 2024 High School Biology Teacher Qualification Certificate (China)