Ruoheng Li

PhD thesis: TBC

During embryonic development, tissues undergo drastic growth and deformations to be moulded into their final shapes that are crucial for correct functioning. However, while previous research has revealed a lot about how development is regulated at the molecular level, much less has been said about the physical processes that actually shape tissues and organs. My research would focus on understanding how tissue-level mechanical properties and active forces drive changes in tissue and organ shapes during growth, and how these mechanical factors are linked to the underlying cellular and molecular activities.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

I have always been fascinated by the “endless forms most beautiful” in living organisms, and how these intricate structures have been generated, robustly and autonomously, from the simple geometry of embryonic tissues. I am particularly intrigued by interdisciplinary approaches that look at development from the perspectives of continuum mechanics, active matter, etc., aiming at cross-scale, and often quantitative models of developmental processes. On the whole, I hope to engage in research on the broader aspects of development and contribute to a more holistic understanding of morphogenesis.