Preface¶
Have you ever imagined playing a VR game where you could not only see and hear, but also taste? Have you ever hoped, when studying diabetes in biology class, that patients could one day enjoy flavors again despite their condition?
In July 2024, I joined the Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta. My primary projects focused on Human Performance on In-motion Platforms and Haptic Training Protocols. However, one lecture by my host professor, Dr Bin Zheng, opened up a new line of inquiry: the study of artificial taste (E-taste).
His introduction to the classic literature on artificial taste rekindled questions I had wondered about since high school, sparking a strong intellectual curiosity. Under Professor Zheng's guidance, I conducted a systematic review of related work and wrote what I thought would be only a small side project. Yet with his encouragement, this exploration grew into my first formal academic publication — an unexpected but deeply meaningful milestone in my research journey.
Original Article¶
Artificial Taste Research
Research shows potential applications in dietary control and weight management
16 February 2025
Letao Wang (right), Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory Summer Student
Letao Wang, Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory Summer Student publishes in Applied Science, "Artificial Taste: Advances and Innovative Applications in Healthcare."
In simulation design, creating artificial taste presents a significant challenge. Recently, researchers used electronic stimulation on the human tongue to evoke taste sensations. In this literature review, we explore key aspects of this technology, including interface design, stimulation parameters, sensation verification, healthcare applications, and potential side effects in human subjects. Letao says, "We identify its potential applications in dietary control and weight management. Our research highlights the promise of this technology as a non-invasive, innovative solution for addressing various healthcare challenges."
She conducted her research under the supervision of Dr. Bin Zheng, Director of the Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory. Since more and more advanced technologies are introduced to the operating theatre, surgeons face new challenges in maintaining their confidence under image-guided and remote-controlled environment. Equipped with eye-tracking and 3D motion tracking system, Dr. Zheng studies the eye-hand coordination, spatial orientation, and the skills acquisition process of surgeons in image-guided surgeries, including laparoscopic, endoscopic and robotic surgery.
Postscript¶
While conducting this literature review, I realized that research in artificial taste was still highly scattered, with limited collaboration across different disciplines. This insight made me recognize how essential leadership in academia is — not only to advance knowledge, but also to bring together diverse perspectives.
Motivated by this realization, I joined the Asian Women's Leadership Program (AWLP), where I had the chance to reflect deeply on what academic leadership means in practice. The program gave me the courage and perspective to step beyond research alone and consider how to foster cooperation and vision in scholarly communities.
Following this experience, I was invited to speak at the Japan-China-Korea Women's Economic Conference: Healthy Aging Society in Osaka, representing Shanghai International Studies University. In my talk, I shared why I chose to join AWLP, what I had learned from it, how my artificial taste research shaped my perspective, and my aspiration to grow into a future academic leader.
Looking back, what began as a small side project in the lab has become a cornerstone of how I view my path forward: to pursue rigorous research while also cultivating leadership that connects fields, institutions, and cultures — in order to address the shared challenges of our world.
Original Article Link: University of Alberta News - Artificial Taste Research