Uses mathematical modeling, systems analysis, and engineering tools to identify and utilize the dynamics of information flow through protein and gene regulatory networks; to predict the best treatment regimen for individual patients; to ensure that medical treatments are provided efficiently in hospitals; and much more.
"Enhance your credibility by making your actions support your statements."
Leslie Geddes, Showalter Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineer Emeritus,
2006 National Medal of Technology,
Founding Director of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, est. 1974
Kong's current research involves solving data-driven system optimization problems arising in clinical decision-making, healthcare delivery and public health policy, as well as tackling inherent foundational methodological challenges on data-driven stochastic optimization and model-based reinforcement learning.
The goal of our research is to understand mechanical properties of cytoskeleton, cells, and tissues via computational models. In addition, we aim to elucidate mechanisms of physiological processes by relating mechanics of the cytoskeleton at subcellular scale to cellular-level and tissue-level mechanics.
The BioCom Laboratory houses a variety of research projects centered around nerve modulation therapies, computational and biophysical modeling.
Primary Applications of Interest
The Pienaar lab uses computational models to understand how pathogens like Ebola virus, HIV and Mycobacteria interact with our immune systems, and how these host-pathogen interactions impact the effectiveness of treatment.
By taking this computational systems biology approach, we can effectively combine many complex and non-linear interactions into one system that can carefully quantify the roles of individual biological mechanisms.
In the Umulis research group, our focus is to investigate the regulation of signal transduction, and its mechanical and chemical response during development. Specifically, we are interested in elucidating mechanisms of robustness, cell fate decisions and tissue patterning by morphogen gradients.
