Hello! I’m Ru, an undergraduate at the University of Washington studying Neuroscience and Informatics (Data Science). I’m interested in epilepsy, how neural dynamics support perception and language, and how computational approaches can inform neurotechnology.

Publications

  1. The rising death burden of atrial fibrillation and flutter in low-income regions and younger populations

    Y.-M. Liu, W. Wang, X. Zhang, F. Lei, J.-J. Qin, X. Huang, R. Li, L. Lin, M. Chen, Y.-X. Ji, P. Zhang, X.-J. Zhang, Z.-G. She, J. Cai, C. Xu, Z. Shen, and H. Li

    Frontiers in Epidemiology · 2023

  2. Energy substrate metabolism and oxidative stress in metabolic cardiomyopathy

    Z. Chen, Z.-X. Jin, J. Cai, R. Li, K.-Q. Deng, Y.-X. Ji, F. Lei, H.-P. Li, Z. Lu, and H. Li

    Journal of Molecular Medicine · 2022

Selected research

Auditory & language processing · GRID Lab, UW

I analyze human intracranial EEG/ECoG recordings to study periodic and aperiodic neural activity across auditory and language-processing regions.

With Dr. Jeffrey Ojemann, Dr. Jeffrey Herron, and mentor Dr. Jesse Miles.

Neural adaptation & rhythm prediction · Mayo Clinic

I use computational models to test how neural adaptation across timescales may support prediction of rhythms at different tempos.

Automated EEG analysis · Harborview Medical Center

I adapt periodic-discharge detection algorithms and build interactive review tools to support analysis of clinical EEG recordings.

Education

University of Washington, Seattle

Expected Jun 2027

B.S. Neuroscience · B.S. Informatics (Data Science)
Minor in Music (Voice)

Selected honors

  • Levinson Emerging Scholars Award2026
  • Mary Gates Research Scholarship2025
  • Mary Gates Leadership Scholarship2025

Teaching & community

  • NEURO 302 Peer Facilitator, UW — neuroscience laboratory instruction (2026).
  • Career Peer Coach, UW Career & Internship Center (2025–2026).
  • Founder, Cultural Harvest — connecting food traditions, sustainability, and community (2025–present).

Beyond research

I enjoy piano, singing, erhu, dance, and music composition, and share my life with two dogs and a cat.

Languages: English, Mandarin, Japanese (JLPT N3, passed July 2023), and basic Spanish.

My tabby cat standing on my desk in front of two monitors My two dogs curled up together in their bed