Dr. Jia “Julia” Liu

Dr. Jia “Julia” Liu is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Engineering at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Prior to this, Dr. Liu was a research faculty at the University of Connecticut’s Neuroengineering and Pain Research Lab, specializing in neuroengineering and pain research. She earned her Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University, following a B.Sc. from Nanjing University of Science and Technology. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on investigating and modulating the peripheral nervous system (PNS) through advanced in-vitro and ex-vivo models. Her work has garnered several honors, including the Trainee Pain Research Grant from the University of Connecticut’s Center for Advancement in Managing Pain, and the Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) from the Society for Neuroscience.

Education

Ph.D./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering – Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering ( Minor in Marketing) – Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China

Professional Appointments

Assistant Professor, UMES

Research Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut

Selected Publications

1. Chen, Y. C., Bullock, B., Ogbeh, D. I., Ai, J., Okoh, J., Liu, J., … & Hsia, S. V. (2025). In vitro modeling of human dorsal root ganglion neurons for GCaMP6-based calcium imaging of sensory responses to HSV-1 infection. Journal of virological methods, 115264.
2. Woon, E., Santeli, J. V., Liu, J., Chen, L., Kuchel, G., & Feng, B. (2025). Pharmacological Targeting of Hyperpolarization‐Activated Cyclic Nucleotide‐Gated Cation Channels on Bladder Afferent Sensory Transmission. LUTS: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, 17(5), e70025.
3. Liu, J., Zhang, S., Emadi, S., Guo, T., Chen, L., & Feng, B. (2024). Morphological, molecular, and functional characterization of mouse glutamatergic myenteric neurons. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 326(3), G279-G290. (selected for podcast)
4. Liu, J.; Ganeshbabu, N.; Shalaby, N.; Chen, L.; Guo, T.; Feng, B., Targeting two-pore-domain potassium channels by mechanical stretch instantaneously modulates action potential transmission in mouse sciatic nerves. ACS Chemical Neuroscience 2021, 12(19), 3558-3566 (Selected as front cover).
5. Liu, J.; Qiang, Y.; Du, E., Dielectric spectroscopy of red blood cells in sickle cell disease. Electrophoresis 2021 42(5), 667- 675.
6. Liu, J.; Qiang, Y.; Alvarez, O.; Du, E., Electrical impedance characterization of erythrocyte response to cyclic hypoxia in sickle cell disease. ACS sensors 2019, 4 (7), 1783-1790. (Selected as supplementary cover)
7. Liu, J.; Mosavati, B.; Oleinikov, A.; Du, E., Biosensors for Detection of Human Placental Pathologies: A Review of Emerging Technologies and Current Trends. Translational Research 2019, 213, 23-49.
8. Liu, J.; Qiang, Y.; Alvarez, O.; Du, E., Electrical impedance microflow cytometry with oxygen control for detection of sickle cells. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2018, 255, 2392-2398.
9. Liu, J.; Chesnokova, O.; Oleinikov, I.; Qiang, Y.; Oleinikov, AV.; Du, E. Optimization of in vitro trophoblast assay for real time impedimetric sensing of trophoblast-erythrocyte interactions in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. 2020 Jan 27:1-9.
10. Guo, T., Liu, J., Chen, L., Bian, Z., Zheng, G. and Feng, B., 2024. Sex differences in zymosan-induced behavioral visceral hypersensitivity and colorectal afferent sensitization. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 326(2), pp.G133-G146.
11. Jiang, S., Guo, C., Wang, T., Liu, J., Song, P., Zhang, T., Wang, R., Feng, B. and Zheng, G., 2022. Blood-coated sensor for high-throughput ptychographic cytometry on a Blu-ray disc. ACS sensors, 7(4), pp.1058-1067.
12. Song, P., Wang, R., Loetgering, L., Liu, J., Vouras, P., Lee, Y., Jiang, S., Feng, B., Maiden, A., Yang, C. and Zheng, G., 2024. Ptycho-endoscopy on a lensless ultrathin fiber bundle tip. arXiv preprint arXiv:2401.17213.