Yuzhe Liu is a Tenure-Track Professor at the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University. His research focuses on how mechanical loading leads to abnormal changes in brain cognition, pathology, and structure. Currently, his work centers on the biomechanics, monitoring, and protection of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). He has published more than forty peer-reviewed papers and was selected for several national young talent programs, including the National Young Overseas Talent Program of China and the Youth Talent Program of the Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. He has served as PI for multiple research grants, including the NSFC Young Scientists Fund, projects supported by the Science and Technology Commission, and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation.

His group maintains close collaborations with Stanford University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. He serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member of The Innovation Medicine and Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, and as reviewer for multiple journals. His research outcomes have been applied as sensor-based data acquisition systems in various sports for head impact monitoring, and have been featured in international media such as the New York Post.

Research Directions

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, is among the most prevalent neurological disorders worldwide. When subjected to mechanical loading, the brain undergoes abnormal responses that evolve into short-term symptoms (such as insomnia and vomiting), long-term symptoms (Post-Concussion Syndrome, PCS), and chronic neurodegenerative diseases (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, CTE—see the film Concussion).

Despite extensive studies, several key questions remain unanswered:

1. What types of      mechanical loading actually cause these symptoms?

2. How can we      diagnose mTBI promptly, given that symptoms often appear days after      injury?

3. How can we      develop effective protective equipment against mTBI?

To address these challenges, our research focuses on the following three directions:

1. Monitoring the mechanical loading of mTBI

We develop AI-enhanced wearable devices and deep-learning–based brain dynamic response models to build large-scale biomechanical datasets of mTBI in sports, transportation, and defense scenarios, and to understand brain loading characteristics under extreme conditions.

2. Biomechanical mechanisms of mTBI

Using neuroimaging and EEG, we examine functional brain abnormalities under specific impact loadings, aiming to clarify the biomechanical mechanisms of neural dysfunction. We establish quantitative relations between short-/long-term symptoms and mechanical loading, and explore multimodal early-warning methods for chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

3. Protective technologies for mTBI

Based on the biomechanical mechanisms of brain injury, we develop theoretical frameworks for head impact protection and design advanced protective structures using novel metamaterials. We also explore bio-inspired strategies—such as those learned from woodpeckers—to propose new concepts for mTBI protection.

Vision

Over the next decade, I hope to:

1. Elucidate the      biomechanical mechanisms underlying mTBI and chronic traumatic      encephalopathy.

2. Build a      large-scale, multi-center, multi-scenario, multimodal mTBI database      (biomechanics, MRI, EEG, clinical scales, blood biomarkers, etc.).

3. Develop real-time      mTBI monitoring systems based on wearable devices.

4. Establish a      high-performance helmet and head protection technology platform.

Recruitment

In my view, determination is more important than pre-existing ability. Therefore, I do not require strict background alignment from students—especially undergraduates. Our work is inherently interdisciplinary, meaning that students from diverse fields can contribute meaningfully and also gain new skills through research.

Our current projects involve knowledge from:

• Artificial      intelligence (high-performance computing, sensor error compensation,      diagnostic prediction, etc.);

• Mechanics and      mechanical engineering (brain and head–neck modeling, impact protection      design);

• Neuroimaging      (fMRI, DTI, DCE-MRI);

• Circuit      design (wearable sensor development);

• Animal injury      models.

I guarantee ample discussion time for each student and fully support any “crazy but meaningful” ideas relevant to our research themes. I support undergraduates applying for competitions, graduate school, and overseas programs, and support graduate students applying for research grants and talent programs.

Professional Experience

2024–present Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University
2023–2024 Tenure-Track Associate Professor, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University
2018–2023 Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University
      (Advisors: David B. Camarillo, Gerald G. Grant)

Education

2013–2018 Ph.D., School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University
     (Advisors: Xinming Qiu, Tongxi Yu)
2009–2013 B.S., School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University

Academic Service

Member of the Biomechanics Committee, Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Member of the Shock Wave and Bioengineering Group, Explosion Mechanics Committee