People – Chu Lab@HKUST(GZ)

Principal Investigator

Prof. Xiakun CHU
楚夏昆
Assistant Professor
_{Advanced Materials Thrust
Function Hub, HKUST (GZ), Website
Email: xiakunchu@ust.hk
Phone: +86-13894851824
Office: 020-88332607, W3-6F-07 on campus}

Education:
2009-2014, Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, Jilin University (Supervisor: Prof. Jin Wang)
2005-2009, B.S. in Physics, Jilin University

Research Experiences:
2022-now, Assistant Professor at HKUST (GZ)
2018-2022, Postdoctoral Researcher (with Prof. Jin Wang), Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, United States
2015-2018, Postdoctoral Researcher (with Prof. Victor Muñoz), IMDEA-Nanociencia, Madrid, Spain
2014-2015, Research Assistant (with Profs. Erkang Wang and Jin Wang), Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Changchun, China

Students

Chengzhen Xu
PhD Student (22Fall)
_{B.S. in Physics (Nanjing University)}
_{Email: cxu807@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn}

I got my B.S. degree in physics (biophysics) at Kuang Yaming Honors School, Nanjing University. Now I am a Ph.D. student in Prof CHU’s group. My main research interest is computational biophysics, including protein conformational dynamics, coarse-grained modeling, etc. I am fond of reading and singing. I like playing board games and chatting with friends from far and wide. Usually, I do enjoy walking out in the evening, with my favorite music in my ears and best friends by my side.

Guoqing Zhang
PhD Student (22Fall)
_{B.S. in Physics & Computer Science (Jilin University)}
_{Email: gzhang733@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn}

I got double major B.S. degrees in physics and computer science from Jilin university. Now I am a Ph.D. student in Prof CHU’s group. The research I would like to focus on is the complex system of biophysics. That includes protein folding, macromolecular structure, molecular dynamics, etc. My hobbies are basketball, ping-pong, running, photography, and reading.

Shiqingrui Xu
Mphil Student (22Fall)
_{B.S. in Physics (Jilin University)}
_{Email: sxu128@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn}

I come from Lanzhou, Gansu Province where is the westnorth China. Then went to Jilin University where is northeast China for my B.S. degree. And now I’m at HKUST(GZ) where is the very south China. My learning experience form a stable triangle.
Now I’m focusing on the enzymatic degradation of plastic especially the enzyme called PETase. All-atom simulations will be conducted in my research.
I believe that a physist who can not play badmiton is not a good photographer. FPV drones and reading also mean a lot to me.

Cibo Feng
PhD Student (23Fall)
_{B.S. in Physics (Jilin University)}
_{Email: cbfengphy@gmail.com}

I will get my B.S. degree in physics from the Physics College, Jilin University. From September 2023, I’ll study for my PhD in Prof. CHU’s group. My research interest is modeling for structure and dynamics of chromosome based on physical model, which involves insights into DNA, protein and their interactions. I have a wide range of hobbies, including pingpang, badminton, Chinese calligraphy, reading books, chess, music, literature and so on. As a result, I tend to pursue aesthetic taste in my life and research work.

**Boran Zhao**
**PhD Student (23Fall)**
_{B.S. in Chemical engineering and industrial bioengineering（DUT）
M.S. in Chemical engineering （SYSU）}
_{E-mail: zhaobr@yeah.net}

I got my BSc and MSc in DUT and SYSU respectively. I am currently pursuing Ph. D. under the supervision of Prof. Chu. My research mainly focuses on applying coarse-grained simulation on soft matter and developing multiscale coarse-graining methods for biomolecules. How interesting it is to utilize the power of the computer to precisely state the properties of biosystems! My ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8425-0821

**Jinyu Chen**
**PhD Student (23Fall)**
_{B.S in Physics (Huaihua University)
M.S in Physics (Zhejiang Normal University)}
_{Email: jchen901@connect.hkust-gz.edu.cn}

I’m currently pursuing my PhD in the group of Prof. Chu. The research I did during my master’s is about the interactions between biomembrane and protein using coarse-grained and all-atom combined molecular dynamics simulation methods. After that, I went to Zhejiang University as a research assistant for a year.

I’m not a smart person, but sometimes I can also find some inspiration in scientific research. I’m not a hardworking person, but I’m willing to stay up all night to solve a scientific research problem. I’m not a person who likes to be tormented by things, but I can still maintain some love for scientific research. So, why not do research?

**Chengze Huo**
**Research Assistant**
_{B.S. in Physics (Jilin University)
Email: chengzehuo@hkust-gz.edu.cn}

I join Prof CHU’s group as a Research Assistant after I got my B.S. degree in physics at Jilin University. My research will focus on all-atom protein design. And I’m interested in how scientific research can be transferred into industrial product which can benefit the society. During my spare time, I love to chat with people. When I’m in a good mood, I am an enthusiastic talker. I also enjoy swimming and reading physical books. I enjoy a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I have no resistance to oranges, watermelons, or high-performance electronic products. Feel free to email me. (✧◡✧)

**Shuai Wang**
**Research Assistant**
_{B.S. in Bioengineering (NingboTech University)
Ph.D. in Bioinformatics (Huazhong Agricultural University)}
_{Email: shuaiwang@hkust-gz.edu.cn}

I am now working as a Research assistant in HKUST(GZ) after graduating from Huazhong agricultural university. My research interests mainly focus on Computational Biophysics and Biochemistry. In my spare time, I like listening to music, playing badminton and ping pong, and reading books about Buddhist philosophy.