CLIMB is excited to announce the appointment of Professor Yang Liu as Deputy Director. Prof. Liu recently joined the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering. In addition to this role, Prof. Liu also holds an Affiliate Professor appointment in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Cancer Center at Illinois. Prof. Liu is also a member of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
We would like to get to know Prof. Liu better, so we asked the following questions.
- What is your perspective of the Center?
CLIMB has made significant progress toward Technology Research and Development (TRD) over the past two years. As we enter Year 3 and beyond, we look forward to strengthening our collaboration with existing CLIMB partners and seeking new partnerships to disseminate the diverse range of label-free imaging technologies developed at CLIMB. Our goal is to broaden their outreach and amplify their impact, fostering greater innovation and collaboration.
- What was your interaction with the late Prof. Gabi Popescu?
I knew Gabi for almost 20 years, ever since we met at a conference in 2005. He was such an enlightening person—always very collaborative and willing to share his knowledge. We shared a deep research interest in quantitative phase imaging and had numerous discussions on how to make a significant clinical impact with this technology. We always had so much fun drinking beer together.
- What is something valuable you have learned during your career?
I have learned a lot over the past 16 years of my career. One of the most valuable skills I have developed is managing the inevitable frustrations that come with paper or proposal rejections. Initially, these rejections often led to a sense of resentment. However, over time, I have come to appreciate the constructive feedback provided by reviewers. This shift in perspective has taught me to always consider others' viewpoints. Embracing this approach has not only improved the quality of my research but has also fostered a more collaborative and open-minded professional attitude.
- Have you found a favorite place to eat in Urbana-Champaign?
Lao Sze Chuan Chinese restaurant, just across the street from Beckman. I have been there numerous times. My family also loves it. I have been very impressed by the quality of Asian food in the Urbana-Champaign area.
CLIMB Director Prof. Stephen Boppart said, “We are thrilled to welcome Prof. Liu into this leadership role in our Center. She brings not only a wealth of experience in quantitative phase imaging, label-free imaging, and computational analysis methods, but also has a history of being a Collaborative Project partner with CLIMB since its inception. She offers strong thought-leader insights into where these label-free imaging technologies can be translated to make their most significant impact in medicine and surgery.”