Fischell Institute APIDA Heritage Month Spotlight: Xin "Pannie" Xu

Xin “Pannie” Xu is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland in Maryland Robotics Center Interim Director, Mechanical Engineering and Institute for Systems Research Associate Professor and Fischell Institute Fellow Ryan Sochol’s Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing (BAM) Lab.

In the BAM Lab, Xu develops advanced additive manufacturing strategies for organ-on-a-chip systems, small devices containing living cells that mimic the structure and function of human tissues and organs. These systems are being explored as an alternative to animal testing for biomedical research.

As described in her oral presentation at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 37th Annual International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (IEEE MEMS 2024), Xu uses micro- and nanoscale 3D printing techniques to create sophisticated microstructures that more closely resemble real biological microsystems.

Her first-author paper in Lab on a Chip was recently highlighted on one of the journal’s covers, and a collaboration with Chen-Yu Chen, a biomedical research engineer in Fischell Institute Director William Bentley’s Biomolecular and Metabolic Engineering lab, earned the IEEE MEMS 2025 Outstanding Oral Presentation Award.

“What excites me most about this work is how quickly the field is evolving,” said Xu. “Recent developments like the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 and 3.0 show increasing interest in alternatives to animal testing, including organ-on-a-chip technologies. It’s encouraging to be working in a field that is gaining more recognition and has the potential to improve how we conduct biomedical research.”

The BAM Lab has offered Xu a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment where she works closely with both the Fischell Institute and the Department of Bioengineering to develop the devices.

“My experience has helped me grow both technically and professionally while contributing to meaningful research projects,” Xu said. “I’ve especially appreciated the balance between independence and guidance — Dr. Sochol encourages us to explore our own ideas while also providing thoughtful mentorship and support.”

In her time at the lab, Xu developed a hybrid additive manufacturing approach that combines high-resolution 3D nanoprinting with larger-scale fabrication techniques to create complex microfluidic systems — an accomplishment she is particularly proud of that has led to a university patent application. This work involved overcoming challenges in fabrication compatibility, integrating features across multiple size scales, and achieving greater geometric versatility than conventional manufacturing techniques.

She has also supported UMD’s engineering community by offering access to the BAM Lab’s tools, such as the UpNano NanoOne 1000 3D Nanoprinter, and providing technical input on design modifications, troubleshooting fabrication issues, and validating printed structures.

“The Maryland engineering community offers a highly collaborative environment with access to diverse tools and expertise, which has been a particularly rewarding part of my research experience,” Xu noted.

Looking ahead, she plans to continue working in advanced manufacturing and engineering research and development, where she can apply her technical background to solve real-world problems. Xu is particularly interested in opportunities that allow her to work on innovative technologies across different domains while staying at the forefront of emerging advancements.

In her free time, Xu enjoys golfing, traveling, and exploring new places.

Published May 22, 2026