Dr Qin was born and raised in Shanghai, China.  Her academic records include a BS in Chemistry from Fudan University (1986-1990), a PhD in Physical Chemistry with Professor Hai-Lung Dai from the University of Pennsylvania (1990-1995), a postdoctoral stint in Materials with Professor George M. Whitesides at Harvard University (1996-1997), and an MBA from the University of Washington (2001-2003). In spare time, Dr Qin enjoys freelance writing in Chinese.  

Dr Qin has a research faculty  appointment with Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis. Qin Lab  works in research fronts that connect the traditional fields of physics, chemistry with an engineering apporach to study peculiar properties and phenomena emerging from materials and systems at the nanoscale.  Qin Lab also aims to contribute to solving society's challenges by developing "simple technology" to benefit the welfare of people in developing economies.  We leverage our technical expertise in nanotechnology, soft lithography, and micro-fluidics to attack global problems with a focus on health diagnostics and local energy production.

Dr Qin is the site director and principal investigator of NSF supported National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (www.nnin.org) at Washington University in St. Louis (NNIN-WUSTL, 2009-2014). The mission of NNIN is to support the research community by enabling rapid advancements in science and engineering at the nanoscale by maintaining a service-based network that provides efficient access to and training in nanotechnology. The network of shared open facilities is well distributed across the US.  Washington University aims to leverage our technical expertise and resources to pursue national leadership in areas of public health, environment, renewable energy, and sustainability for future. (Read the NNIN-WUSTL Report 2010 in pdf version).