Dr Qin was born and raised in Shanghai, China.  Her academic records include a Ph.D. degree in Physical Chemistry with Professor Hai-Lung Dai from the University of Pennsylvania (1995), a postdoctoral stint with Professor George M. Whitesides at Harvard University (1996-1997), and an MBA degree from the University of Washington (2003). In spare time, Dr Qin enjoys freelance writing in Chinese.  

Dr Qin is the Associate Dean for Research in the School of Engineering.  She supports the Dean in evaluating and implementing research and education programs having broad impact on the School and the University.  With close interactions with the office of Vice Chancellor for Research, she works on building central facility through effective analysis, consensus, and strategic investment of resources.  The ultimate goal is to poise for growth at the interface of traditional academic departments and centers.

Dr Qin has a research faculty appointment with Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering. Her research expertise includes soft lithography, nanofabrication, scanning probe microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.  She is keen to create the Qin Lab -- a synergetic research environment for undergraduates (from freshmen to senior) who are discovering their curiosity in the frontiers of science and engineering.