Jin Wang, Buddy Redd associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, is applying systems and control engineering principles to predict complex chemical processes. Wang and her team focus on two areas — systems biology and manufacturing process modeling and control — applying their work to early cancer detection and semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Their systems biology research includes exploring cell functions and fundamental molecular properties to improve control engineering used in manufacturing, such as chemical plants. Wang is also using clinical proteomic research to study early prostate, pancreatic and breast cancer detection by identifying biomarkers that can distinguish between cancer patients and healthy patients. Her group is looking at disease detection for clinical research and fault detection in systems engineering by applying similar principles.

In addition, Wang’s team is studying semiconductor manufacturing process modeling, monitoring and control to improve productivity and quality. They are working on algorithm development required by the industry’s increasing chip density and smaller device dimensions, which make these processes more difficult to operate and control.