People

C. Shan Xu graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China and obtained his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1997. Xu went on to serve as a technical director at Lam Research Corporation, where he oversaw research, development, and dissemination of cutting-edge semiconductor technologies. In 2009, he joined the Janelia Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute to develop enhanced focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (eFIB-SEM). In 2022, Xu joined Yale School of Medicine as a Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology. In addition to his contributions to technology development, highlighted by more than twenty patents, Xu is known for his innovation and leadership in transforming conventional FIB-SEM from a lab tool that is unreliable for more than a few days to a robust imaging platform with 100% effective reliability: capable of years of continuous imaging without defects in the final image stack. The enhanced FIB-SEM technology has enabled significant discoveries in tissue biology, cell biology, and neuroscience where nano-scale resolution coupled with meso and even macro scale volumes is critical. It enabled the largest and most detailed Drosophila brain connectome in 2020, and created the first open-access, 3D atlas of whole cells and tissues at the finest isotropic resolution of 4-nm voxels in 2021. Xu lab focuses on pushing the boundaries of volume electron microscopy. A primary goal is to break through the existing SEM resolution limit, a critical milestone that will connect two seemingly disparate fields: structural biology and cell biology. This pioneering effort aims to enable researchers to explore and understand architectural intricacies across multiple scales, from the molecular level, through organelles, up to entire cells, all within their native tissue environments.

Pang’s primary research focus is to nucleate transformative technology development and to foster discoveries in life science. At YSM, she aims to expand the application space of the proprietary enhanced Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (eFIB-SEM) technology beyond experimental model systems to the realms of translational and clinical research. Prior to joining YSM, Pang was the lead scientist in FIB-SEM Technologies group at the Janelia Research Campus of Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She proposed and developed the enhanced FIB-SEM pipeline beyond Drosophila connectome research. She together with colleagues, created the very first open-access 3D atlas at the finest isotropic resolution using the eFIB-SEM platform. Inspired to probe brain functions using semiconductor technologies, Pang applied her semiconductor device integration expertise to brain research. She oversaw all facets of device fabrication for customized extracellular neuroprobes and facilitated a partnership between Janelia and IMEC, a leading semiconductor research institute. Her vision and initiative transformed the Neuroprobe project into a massive multi-institute collaboration. During her tenure in the semiconductor industry, Pang contributed to several major technology breakthroughs, from concept initiation to global implementation. At Intel Research, she led process development for a silicon-based optical modulator, achieving a fiftyfold improvement over previous world records. She also spearheaded the integration of Alternate Phase Shift Mask technology into Intel's high-volume manufacturing. Additionally, at semiconductor equipment companies, Pang launched innovative inspection solutions that revolutionized defect inspection in the photomask industry and introduced the first computational lithography calibration product, capturing over 90% market share within two years. Joining YSM, Pang sees the FIB-SEM Collaboration Core as a discovery powerhouse. She aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem that synergistically integrates advanced imaging technologies, diverse applications, and robust data pipelines. She eagerly welcomes collaborations and looks forward to propelling life science research to new heights with her team and collaborators.