Huiwang Ai, PhD
Huiwang Ai, PhD, was appointed director of the Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology (CMCP) at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, effective Feb. 1, 2026. Ai is a professor of molecular physiology and biological physics, with joint appointments in the Departments of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering.
Ai has established a nationally recognized research program that integrates protein engineering, molecular biosensor development, and advanced imaging to reveal cellular signaling and biological dynamics in real time. His work has received uninterrupted support from major funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health.
Founded by Lukas Tamm, PhD, professor of molecular physiology and biological physics, the Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology has long been a leader in applying state-of-the-art structural biology and microscopy approaches to understand how cells—and in particular cellular membranes—function. As the new director, Ai will build on this strong foundation while guiding the Center’s continued evolution as a collaborative and technology-driven research hub.
Ai’s vision is to strengthen CMCP’s role in uncovering the physical principles that underlie cellular function and disease, spanning fundamental membrane processes to system-level mechanisms relevant to cardiovascular, neurological, cancer, infectious, and metabolic disorders. He aims to expand the Center’s impact by fostering collaborations that bridge biophysics, quantitative imaging, structural biology, engineering, and translational science, accelerating discovery from molecular mechanism to human health.
“I am deeply honored to take on this role and to build on the remarkable legacy of CMCP,” Ai said. “I am especially grateful to Dr. Tamm for his vision in establishing a strong and collaborative Center. The Center’s strength lies in its ability to integrate physical principles with biological insight, and I look forward to working with faculty, trainees, leadership, and partners across Grounds to harness those strengths for the benefit of human health.”
Ai earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tsinghua University and a PhD in chemical biology from the University of Alberta. He completed postdoctoral training at The Scripps Research Institute with Peter Schultz. Before being recruited to UVA in 2017, he was assistant professor at the University of California Riverside, where he played a key role in advancing protein engineering, molecular biosensor technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Tamm for his service and congratulating Dr. Ai on his appointment.
Filed Under: Research