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About

Qili Zhao is a leading researcher at the intersection of robotics and cell biology, specializing in robotic micromanipulation of biological cells for biomedical applications. His pioneering work focuses on automating delicate cellular procedures—including cell rotation, orientation control, enucleation, and cryopreservation—that have traditionally relied on skilled human operators prone to fatigue and inconsistency. Zhao's most influential contribution, "Robotic Manipulation of Deformable Cells for Orientation Control" (2019, 86 citations), addresses the fundamental challenge of handling highly fragile biological specimens without causing damage. His complementary work on minimum-force cell rotation (2014, 73 citations) introduced quantitative control strategies that minimize mechanical stress on oocytes, a breakthrough for reproductive medicine. Beyond individual cell handling, Zhao has advanced batch-processing automation, developing robotic systems for embryo vitrification in IVF clinics, somatic cell nuclear transfer for cloning, and high-throughput cell elasticity measurement via micropipette aspiration. His research consistently bridges precision robotics with real-world clinical needs, incorporating real-time computer vision, 3D morphology measurement, and microfluidic integration. With over 360 cumulative citations, Zhao's body of work is reshaping how reproductive biology and cellular diagnostics laboratories operate, offering greater reproducibility, efficiency, and potential for translating laboratory procedures into clinical-grade automation.