Academic Profile : Faculty

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Assoc Prof Hou Han Wei
Associate Professor, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Associate Professor, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (Courtesy Appointment)
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Biography

Dr. Han Wei Hou is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He is also an Adjunct Senior Research Scientist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Dr. Hou received his BEng (First Class Hons) and PhD degree in Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore in 2008 and 2012, respectively. Upon graduation, he did his postdoctoral training at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), and subsequently joined LKCMedicine as the inaugural LKCMedicine Postdoctoral Fellow in 2014. His research interest is in developing microfluidics (lab-on-a-chip) technologies for point-of-care blood diagnostics and biosensing. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed journal publications and filed 12 patents/patent applications (2 are licensed to MedTech companies). His recent research awards and accolades include International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE) Early Career Award (2022), NTU College of Engineering Research – Young Faculty Special Mention (2022), IFMBE Asia-Pacific Research Networking (APRN) Fellowship (2022), ISAC Innovators (2021), Lab on a Chip Emerging Investigators (2019), Interstellar Initiative Early Career Investigators (2018), and LKCMedicine Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2014).

Research group website: http://www.hwhoulab.com

Research Interests

-Microfluidics for blood diagnostics and cell purification
-Label-free point-of-care immunoassays using impedance cytometry
-Circulating extracellular vesicles as novel biomarkers for non-invasive vascular health profiling
-Biomimetic microengineered human organ-on-chip platforms for personalized medicine
- Biomanufacturing and cell-based therapy
 

Current Grants

  • CellFACE – Imaging-based flow cytometry for hidden haematology biomarker
  • Circulating microRNA as novel biomarkers for vascular health profiling in type 2 diabetes mellitus (LKCMed-MiRXES Service Grant)
  • ExoArc: Microfluidic Automated Blood Processing for Liquid Biopsy
  • Exploring the mechanism of action of different stimuli in NETosis
  • Gram+ bacteria derived nanovesicles as new vaccine and antibiotic resistance
  • IMC Compartmentalization and its role in maturation and transmission of P. falciparum gametocytes
  • Microfluidic in-line process analytical technologies (PAT) and automated cell harvesting for bioreactors in cell manufacturing
  • Neutrophil Digital Twin (NeuDT): A multi-parametric biophysical cell model to predict cardiovascular risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Project RESET: Redirecting immune, lipid and metabolic drivers of early cardiovascular disease
  • REducing Diabetic macrovascUlar Complications duE to Peripheral Arterial Disease - REDUCE-PAD
  • Research Project on microfluidic studies of human disease states
  • Uncovering the Mechanical Coupling of Nanoparticle and Extracellular Matrix Elasticities for Enhanced Tumor Targeting

Awards & Recognition

Awards
International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE) Early Career Award (2022)
NTU College of Engineering Research – Young Faculty Special Mention (2022) IFMBE Asia-Pacific Research Networking (APRN) Fellowship (2022)
ISAC Innovators (2021)
Lab on a Chip Emerging Investigators (2019)
Interstellar Initiative Early Career Investigators (2018)
 
Fellowships & Other Recognition
LKCMedicine Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2014)
 

Teaching

Courses Taught
MA2003 Introduction to Thermofluids
MA2007 Thermodynamics
MA3010 Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
MA3071 Engineering Experiments (E3.5 Heat exchanger)