EBM Interview: Yi Hong

Dr. Yi Hong is a Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He achieved his PhD in Material Science and Engineering in 2005 at Zhejiang University. Before joining the UTA in 2012, Dr. Hong worked as a postdoc and later as a Research Assistant Professor in the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine in the University of Pittsburgh.

His research focuses on developing functional and bioactive soft biomaterials and translational research for tissue repair and regeneration applications, especially for cardiovascular disease treatment, and women and children healthcare. He has published over 100 peer-review papers in the field of biomaterials and applied/issued 12 patents as well as over 160 conference abstracts. He received many internal and external awards, such as NSF CAREER award (2016), College of Engineering Outstanding Early Career Award (2018), Junior Investigator Award from BMES ABioM-SIG (2018), CAB Mid-CAREER Award (2020), College of Engineering Excellence in Research Award (2020), University’s Outstanding Research Award (2021), AHA Established Investigator Award (2022), and College of Engineering Award for Distinguished Record of Research (2024). He was elected as a Fellow of American Heart Association (FAHA), American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (FAIMBE), Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), and Biomedical Engineering Society (FBMES), and a Senior Member of National Academy of Inventors.

 

Here's the interview we did with him:

 

1. Could you briefly introduce your current research field?

My research focuses on developing functional biomaterials for cardiac repair and women and children healthcare. Our developed biomaterials include elastic patches, injectable hydrogels, and bioadhesives from synthetic and natural polymers and decellularized ECM.  

2. What obstacles or difficulties have you encountered in your research work? How did you overcome these difficulties?

We have met many challenges in the research. How the biomaterial design is well integrated with clinic needs and how to realize the design are two points I would like to highlight. Generally, we would like to meet the clinicians many times to really understand their thoughts and needs, and then we will provide and optimize biomaterial designs and then continue to meet and discuss. 

3. What attracted you to join the BAM editorial Board team?

I joined the editorial board when the BAM was open. We have a wonderful team to work collaboratively and passionately to improve the journal’s quality and make this journal better and better.  I am happy and proud to be the one in this team.

4. What are your expectations for the future development of Bioactive Materials and its promotion of related fields?

I expect that the BAM can attract more high quality and innovative works about new biomaterial design and biomedical applications.  In my personal preferences, I am very happy to see novel biomaterials from new molecular design and solid works that can answer important questions in the biomaterial field or solve problems in fundamental research and clinical need. 

5. What is your greatest hobby outside of scientific work?

I often play basketball with my colleagues and friends, and sometime I like to stay quietly to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, or a movie. 

6. How do you balance scientific research work and personal life?

It is hard for an investigator to balance our research work and personal life.  I try to stay with my family when I am at home. I like to have a break or travel with my family during holidays, and when I complete some important tasks, I often give myself a reward for some fun. 

7. What do you think is the most important quality for researchers? 

Self-motivation and open mind.  

8. What advice do you have for young scholars who are determined to engage in scientific research?

Persistence and keep curiosity, and the most important, keep healthy and happy.