Faculty Directory

Xu, Nan

Xu, Nan

Assistant Professor
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
Website(s):

Dr. Nan Xu is an incoming Assistant Professor (Dec 2024) at the Fischell Department of Bioengineering. With a strong foundation as a computational scientist, her research spans statistical learning, applied mathematics, neuroscience, and various biomedical applications. Her primary efforts are centered on developing advanced computational models and analyses with functional neuroimaging data to uncover novel insights into brain functions and diseases. Nan completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Rochester, earning a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a B.A. in Mathematics, with a minor in Music, in 2011. She then pursued graduate studies at Cornell University, where she received her M.Sc. (2015) and Ph.D. (2017) in Electrical and Computer Engineering, minoring in Applied Mathematics and Cognitive Neuroscience. Throughout her postdoctoral journey, Nan gained extensive interdisciplinary research experience, including a fellowship in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech (2017-2018), a visiting scientist role at the McGovern Brain Institute at MIT (2022), and a postdoctoral fellowship in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University (2019-2024). Her research is currently supported by a NIH BRAIN K99/R00 award.

Our research lies in the intersection of data science and neuroscience. We are dedicated to developing novel data science approaches to uncover brain function, neurological disorders, and other biological processes. Using multimodal functional neuroimaging data (e.g., fMRI-BOLD, LFP, optical imaging, MEG) from animals, healthy humans, and patients, we decode complex brain processes and diseases, offering innovative insights for fundamental and translational brain science.

Research Methods

  • Computational Modeling
  • Deep/Statistical/Machine Learning
  • Scientific Computing
  • Dynamical Systems Analysis
  • Neuroimaging

Research Interests

  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Algorithms 
  • Imaging
  • Functional Brain Dynamics

BIOE Announces 2024 Fischell Fellows at EPIC Retreat

Two BIOE Ph.D. students were named Fischell Fellows at the seventh annual EPIC Retreat.

New Faculty Spotlight: Alex Xu

BIOE welcomes Alex Xu as an Assistant Professor starting July 29th.

Bioengineering Celebrates Undergraduate Excellence

9 BIOE students received awards during annual Undergraduate Honors and Awards ceremony

Agents of Positive Change: Highlighting Women Maryland Engineers

In celebration of Women's History Month, we highlight some of the important contributions of women engineers within our campus community.

Maryland Engineering Ranks Among the Nation’s Top 20 Undergraduate Engineering Programs

The A. James Clark School of Engineering ranks 19 overall among more than 200 undergraduate engineering programs—up three positions from its previous undergraduate ranking.

Maryland Engineers Awarded Grants to Address Humanity's Grand Challenges

Twelve projects led by or involving Maryland Engineering faculty have been awarded funding through the Grand Challenges Grants Program, the largest and most comprehensive program of its kind ever introduced at the University of Maryland.

"This Is Where It's At"

U.S. Commerce Secretary's Visit Highlights Importance of UMD, Higher Ed to Future of Domestic Electronics Industry

Combating Metastatic Cancer Through Blood Draw

University of Maryland bioengineers develop a new technique to efficiently capture, gently release, and effectively scale up circulating tumor cells, a leading culprit in cancer spread.

BIOE Capstone Competition Highlights 24 Novel Projects

The Bioengineering Senior Capstone Design competition returned to in-person on Monday, May 2.

UMD Welcomes A. James Clark Scholars Class of ’25

Maryland Engineering welcomes 10 exceptional young engineers from across the state of Maryland as its newest class of A. James Clark Scholars.

Sochol Receives Early Career Award from the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering

Inaugural award recognizes outstanding research contribution from a scientist in the early stage of their research career.

BIOE Capstone Projects Focus on Medical Devices, AI, and More

BIOE seniors present 23 novel Capstone projects live via Gatherly.

Maryland Graduate Engineering Ranked #10 Public in the Nation

From extreme batteries to windows made from wood, Clark School’s trendsetting work ranks it among the country’s Top 10 public engineering schools for the 3rd consecutive year.

Waging War on Metastatic Cancer

BIOE Professor Xiaoming He and his research team take a new approach to understand why cancers spread.

BIOE Capstone Class Virtually Presents 24 Novel Projects

BIOE seniors present Capstone projects and celebrate winners virtually.

2020 BIOE Undergraduate Award Recipients

Nine BIOE students were honored with departmental and college awards.

Advisory Board Member Dr. Pinchuk Speaking at AIMBE Annual Event

The event takes place March 29-30, 2020 in Washington, D.C. 

Four BIOE Students Named NSF Graduate Research Fellows

Students recognized for research in immunoengineering, regenerative medicine, and more.

Study Outlines Targeted Treatment Option for Aggressive Breast Cancer

Research team explores nanotechnology-based therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer.

Research Team Develops Breakthrough Technique to Combat Cancer Drug Resistance

BIOE professor Xiaoming "Shawn" He is working with collaborators around the world to advance cancer therapy research.

BioE Capstone 2013: New Products Focus on Diagnostics, Physical Therapy and More

Students' inventions address needs ranging from home care to ICU.

Capstone 2012: Innovations in Emergency Medicine, Diagnostic Tools, Physical Therapy, and More

BioE seniors present an array of new devices for improving health and safety.

Bone Regeneration Research Receives 5-Year NIH Funding

Fisher, Xu explore regeneration of dental tissues.