Liangliang Hao Wins Innovation Award for Research into Lung Disease
Assistant Professor Liangliang Hao (BME) received the Innovation Award from the American Lung Association for her research project titled Developing Innovative Early Detection Test for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious lung disease that is relatively understudied.
The ALA’s Innovation Award is intended to support highly promising investigators with stellar track records of accomplishment, who have the potential to advance the field of lung disease science.
“We have worked hard to build a research platform that develops new precision tools for understanding disease biology,” said Hao. “Our goal is to use this knowledge to address critical challenges in human health, such as detecting chronic diseases early and enabling timely interventions.”
While much of Hao’s work has focused on cancer, these technologies are broadly applicable to IPF and other diseases.
“Liangliang Hao’s groundbreaking work in early disease detection is a remarkable example of how BU Engineering is transforming lives at scale. Her pioneering innovations not only push the boundaries of engineering but also embody our deep commitment to human-centered solutions that improve health outcomes,” said Elise Morgan, Dean, College of Engineering.
Point-of-care diagnostics saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic but has yet to benefit chronic lung diseases. For the life-threatening IPF, one promising diagnostic approach is building biomarkers, indicators that can detect and differentiate diseases with similar symptoms at an early stage.
However, advances of such biomarkers are limited by difficulties in determining the early cues that accurately reflect the molecular changes in the lung. Using engineered biosensors to assess these early pulmonary changes can predict a specific disease type. This test can be conducted noninvasively, requiring only a urine sample, and conveniently, on a paper-based system like a home COVID-19 test.
“We are excited to expand our research into new areas, and this American Lung Association Innovation Award provides us with the opportunity to do just that,” said Hao. “By making our research and educational efforts accessible to a wider community, we work to expand the reach and impact of scientific discoveries outside the university.”
Beyond developing new technologies, Hao’s laboratory is deeply committed to education and sharing their knowledge through workshops, outreach, and collaboration.
“Receiving this recognition is especially meaningful to us during these uncertain times, and it gives our team encouragement to keep exploring and innovating,” Hao said. “As an early-career faculty member, I am deeply grateful for the support that helps us pursue impactful research and make a difference for patients.”