The 5th CenBRAIN Neurotech Annual Workshop (CBNAW’25) Successfully Concluded

June in Moganshan brought together science and nature. The historic Luhuadang Hotel, surrounded by bamboo forests, hosted over 60 national and international scientists and scholars. Cutting-edge research in Engineering, AI, and Neuroscience merged, creating new possibilities.

From June 5 to 7, 2025, the 5th Annual Workshop organized by the CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence (CBN) of Westlake University’s School of Engineering was held at Moganshan’s Luhuadang Hotel. Distinguished speakers included Professor Gerwin Schalk (Fudan University), Chair Professor Weicheng Cui (Westlake University), and Assistant Professor Wei Wang (Westlake University).

The opening ceremony was chaired and addressed by Chair Professor Mohamad Sawan, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Founding Director of CenBRAIN Neurotech Center of Excellence.

Focused on "Multidisciplinary Research Driving Neuroscience Innovation", this workshop showcased our center’s breakthroughs in the fields of Biointerfaces for Closed-loop Neuromodulation and Wearable and Implantable Brain-computer Interfaces.  Prof. Sawan emphasized in his opening message: "By integrating multidisciplinary theories, we are dismantling traditional academic barriers." He reviewed the Center’s 2024 achievements in BCI, biosensing, and organoid research, and officially launched the 2024 CenBRAIN Neurotech Annual Report , detailing technical innovations and application prospects.

Diverse Perspectives: Insights from Leading Scholars

Prof. Weicheng CUI
" Towards the Development of a Unified Theory for Complex Systems"

Prof. Cui proposed applying complex systems modeling to neurochip research. Drawing from his team’s work on intelligent robotic fish and deep-sea technology industrialization, he outlined pathways for cross-disciplinary theoretical frameworks in neuroscience.

Prof. Gerwin SCHALK
"A Vision for Translation of Neuro-technologies"

Prof. Schalk analyzed global challenges in neurotech translation. He stressed interdisciplinary collaboration for clinical adoption and called for breaking academic-industrial silos to accelerate lab-to-market transitions.

Assistant Prof. Wei WANG
" Design and Fabrication of Integrated Circuit-Compatible Micro-robotics"

He presented shape-shifting microrobots for fluid pumping. These devices enable precision drug delivery and cell manipulation, merging electronics with biomedicine.

Frontier Breakthroughs: Innovations by Young Scholars

Dr. Guoguang RONG (Research Professor)
Introduced a self-developed optobiosensing chip and handheld system using silicon-based nanophotonics for high-throughput detection. Applications span research, drug screening, and personal diagnostics.

Dr. Yun-Hsuan CHEN (Research Assistant Professor)
Demonstrated a closed-loop neuromodulation wearable for addiction treatment. It integrates multimodal neuroimaging and AI to enable biomarker detection and personalized therapy.

Dr. Nan SHAO & Dr. Yuchen XU (Postdoctoral Fellows)
Explored frequency-dependent neural activity in brain organoids. Their work establishes protocols to "train" organoids into specific neural circuits, advancing Alzheimer’s disease modeling.

Emerging Talents: Future Stars of Interdisciplinary Research

Five Ph.D. candidates from CenBRAIN Neurotech presented their interdisciplinary research accomplishments covering several cutting-edge domains: Language Decoding, Optical Biosensors, Organoid Cultivation, Photoacoustic Imaging, as well as Vision Rehabilitation.

【Di WU】Decoded Chinese tones, syllables, and characters from intracranial signals via deep learning, enabling "mind typing" for paralysis patients.

【Yuqiao ZHENG】In this study we propose a nonlocal metasurface-microcavity coupled “metacavity” configuration . By directly using analytes as the cavity medium, the metacavity achieves notable sensing performances while guaranteeing high-optical properties.

【Hongyong ZHANG】Introduced 2D/3D neural platforms for high-throughput neurotoxin screening, reducing animal testing needs.

【Chengpeng CHAI】Created a multimodal device of magnetoencephalography & photoacoustic imaging for non-invasive brain monitoring, enhancing spatiotemporal resolution in stroke studies.

【Xurong GAO】Explored non-invasive optogenetic-AI therapies for retinal degeneration.

Following research presentations, experts discussed in a Panel titled" Does Multidisciplinarity Ensures Achievement," emphasizing the critical role of innovators in scientific progress.

The workshop concluded with an awards ceremony. Professor Sawan honored 10 members for outstanding multidisciplinary contributions:

· CBN Outstanding Ph.D Students:
Yuqiao ZHENG, Di WU, Hui WU, Hongyong ZHANG

· CBN Excellent Staff Members:
Dr. Jie YANG, Dr. Yunxuan CHEN, Shuyun ZHANG, Qiming HOU

· CBN-Optech Best Staff:
Yueqian ZHOU, Chengjun ZHANG

In Professor Sawan’s closing remarks, he extended heartfelt gratitude to the keynote speakers (Prof. Gerwin Schalk, Prof. Weicheng Cui, and Prof. Wei Wang) and pioneering alumnus Prof. Shiqi Zhao (The first Ph.D. graduate from our center, class of 2023), as well as the organizing team for their preparation efforts.

As Moganshan’s bamboo forests renew each year, the quest for knowledge continues. At the crossroads of history and innovation, we are pioneering a new era in neuroscience.