Ding Yuan | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Ding Yuan | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Professor, at University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China.

Dr. Ding Yuan is a distinguished researcher specializing in ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) materials for energy storage and conversion. She earned her Ph.D. from Griffith University in 2021 under the mentorship of Prof. Shanqing Zhang and Prof. Huijun Zhao. Following her doctorate, she conducted postdoctoral research at Griffith University and the University of Wollongong before joining the Shanghai University of Science and Technology in 2023 as a Specially Appointed Professor. Her research focuses on defect chemistry in ultrathin 2D materials, pioneering methods to enhance lithium/sodium-ion battery performance and electrocatalysis. She has published over 40 papers in high-impact journals, receiving more than 1,500 citations. Dr. Yuan has secured multiple national and provincial-level research grants, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Shanghai Leading Talent Award. Her contributions have been widely recognized, earning prestigious awards and extensive media coverage.

Professional Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Ding Yuan has a strong academic foundation in chemistry and materials science. She earned her Bachelor’s (2014) and Master’s (2017) degrees in Chemical Engineering from Jiangsu University, where she researched photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. She pursued her Ph.D. (2018-2021) at Griffith University, Australia, focusing on atomic-level ultrathin materials for next-generation rechargeable batteries. Under the supervision of Prof. Shanqing Zhang and Prof. Huijun Zhao, she developed innovative synthesis methods for ultrathin transition metal oxides and chalcogenides, significantly enhancing their electrochemical performance. Her doctoral work laid the groundwork for her pioneering research on defect chemistry. She later expanded her expertise through postdoctoral research at Griffith University and the University of Wollongong, exploring electronic structure modulation of 2D materials for energy applications. In 2023, she joined Shanghai University of Science and Technology as a faculty member, furthering her research in energy storage and conversion.

💼 Experience

Dr. Ding Yuan’s career spans academia and research leadership. She is currently a Specially Appointed Professor at Shanghai University of Science and Technology, leading projects on ultrathin 2D energy materials. Before this, she held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Wollongong (2021-2023) and Griffith University (2021), focusing on electronic structure modulation of ultrathin materials for electrocatalysis and energy storage. Throughout her career, Dr. Yuan has spearheaded multiple research initiatives, collaborating with leading scholars such as Academicians Shi Dou and Huakun Liu. Her expertise in soft-template synthesis, self-assembly, and defect engineering has led to significant advancements in battery technology and electrocatalysis. She has also actively participated in national and international research collaborations, contributing to several high-impact research projects funded by organizations like the Australian Research Council and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Ding Yuan’s research focuses on the controlled synthesis and defect engineering of ultrathin 2D materials for energy applications. She explores atomic-level strategies, such as vacancy engineering, heterostructure construction, and element doping, to enhance the performance of materials in lithium/sodium-ion batteries, electrocatalysis, and hydrogen production. Her work aims to improve the energy density and power output of rechargeable batteries while optimizing catalytic activity and stability. She employs advanced techniques like self-assembly, soft-template methods, and topological transformations to fabricate high-performance materials. Dr. Yuan’s interdisciplinary approach integrates materials science, electrochemistry, and nanotechnology, driving innovations in renewable energy storage and conversion. Her research has gained significant recognition, contributing to the development of next-generation energy technologies with real-world applications in sustainable energy systems.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Ding Yuan has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to energy materials research. Notably, she was selected for the Young Talent Support Program by the China Association for Science and Technology (2023-2026), a highly competitive national-level recognition. She has also been awarded the National Natural Science Foundation Youth Grant (2025-2027) and the Shanghai Leading Talent (Overseas) Award (2023-2026), highlighting her impact in the field of materials science. Additionally, she received the Hujiang Leading Talent Award (2023-2026) from Shanghai University of Science and Technology. Her academic excellence has been recognized through university-level honors, including the Outstanding Union Activist Award (2024) and the Excellence in Teaching Assistant Award (2023). These accolades underscore her leadership in advancing nanomaterials for energy applications.

📖 Top Noted Publications

Dr. Ding Yuan has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals, with more than 1,500 citations. Some of her most notable publications include:

  • Yuan, D., et al. (2023). “Defect Engineering in Ultrathin 2D Materials for Energy Storage.” Chemical Reviews. DOI | Cited by: 200+ articles.
  • Yuan, D., et al. (2022). “Heterostructure Engineering of Transition Metal Chalcogenides for High-Performance Batteries.” Advanced Materials. DOI | Cited by: 180+ articles.
  • Yuan, D., et al. (2021). “Atomically Thin 2D Transition Metal Oxides for Water Splitting.” Angewandte Chemie International Edition. DOI | Cited by: 160+ articles.
  • Yuan, D., et al. (2021). “Boosting Pseudocapacitive Behavior in Sodium-Ion Batteries with Vacancy-Engineered 2D Materials.” Cell Reports Physical Science. DOI | Cited by: 140+ articles.
  • Yuan, D., et al. (2020). “Soft-Template Synthesis of Ultrathin Layered Double Hydroxides for High-Performance Supercapacitors.” Chemical Engineering Journal. DOI | Cited by: 120+ articles.

Conclusion

Dr. Yuan Ding is highly suitable for the “Best Researcher Award.” Her strong research impact, prestigious funding, international collaborations, and leadership in 2D materials for energy applications make her a strong candidate. With continued industry collaboration and further leadership in global scientific communities, she has the potential to become a top-tier scientist in the energy materials field.

 

Yuhai Dou | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Yuhai Dou | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Vice President, at University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China.

Dr. Yu Hai Dou is a Professor at Shanghai University of Science and Technology (USST), where he serves as the Executive Vice Dean of the Department of Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells. He is an expert in atomic-level ultra-thin two-dimensional new energy materials, focusing on hydrogen energy and fuel cells. With extensive experience in advanced materials science and nanotechnology, Dr. Dou has worked as a researcher and collaborator with renowned institutions like Griffith University and the University of Wollongong. His leadership and expertise have garnered numerous national and international awards, solidifying his place as a key figure in materials science research. He has contributed significantly to hydrogen production and energy storage solutions, aiming for sustainable energy advancements.

Professional Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Dou completed his undergraduate and master’s studies in Materials Science and Engineering at Central South University, China, specializing in powder metallurgy. He then pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Wollongong, Australia, under the supervision of Academician Shih and Professor Ziqi Sun, where he focused on atomic-level ultra-thin two-dimensional materials for lithium/sodium-ion batteries and electrocatalysis for oxygen evolution. His academic journey continued with significant postdoctoral work at Griffith University, collaborating with Professor Huijun Zhao on innovative catalysts for hydrogen production and advanced energy storage technologies. His educational background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of energy materials and catalysis at the atomic scale.

Experience 💼

Dr. Dou’s professional career spans several prestigious institutions and research roles. As a Professor at USST, he is a driving force in the development of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technology. He has also been involved in cutting-edge research projects at Griffith University and the University of Wollongong, where he led pioneering work on atomic-level catalysts and energy-efficient materials. In addition, Dr. Dou has contributed to the development of several high-impact projects, including national and international collaborations on hydrogen energy and fuel cell advancements. His roles have also included serving as the Chair of the Materials Science Research Center and the Academic Committee at Shandong Advanced Technology Institute, China.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Dou’s research is centered on atomic-level ultra-thin two-dimensional materials, particularly in the areas of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and energy storage. His work includes the development of efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting, hydrogen production, and advanced energy storage systems like sodium-ion batteries. Additionally, he is interested in designing innovative materials for renewable energy applications, including those used in fuel cells and energy conversion technologies. His pioneering work on single-atom catalysts and defect engineering has significantly advanced the field of materials science, making strides toward more sustainable energy solutions.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Dou’s career has been marked by numerous prestigious awards. He received the “Overseas Postdoctoral Talent Introduction Project” from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security in China, as well as several national-level recognitions such as the “Excellent Young Scientist” award from Australia and the “Taishan Scholar” award from Shandong Province. In 2020, his paper won the China Top Cited Paper Award, and he was also nominated for the World Advanced Materials Association Youth Scientist Gold Award. His accolades reflect his impact on both national and international levels, particularly in the field of materials science and energy research.

Top Noted Publications 📝

Dr. Dou has published extensively in high-impact journals on materials science, catalysis, and energy storage. His work includes groundbreaking research on atomic-level catalysts and ultra-thin two-dimensional materials. His publications have been cited in numerous international articles, showcasing his contributions to the advancement of hydrogen energy and catalysis. Some of his key papers include:

  • “Single-Atom Catalysts on Atomically Thin Nanomaterials for H₂O₂ Production” (2021, Nature Communications).
  • “Atomically Thin 3d Transition Metal Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting” (2020, Advanced Materials).
    For further exploration of his work, his published articles can be accessed via the journal links.

Conclusion

Dr. Yu Hai Dou exemplifies the qualities of a leading researcher in the realm of energy materials and sustainable technologies. His impressive list of awards, significant research funding, and collaborative work in high-impact projects make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions to hydrogen energy research and electrocatalysis are critical to advancing renewable energy technologies. With continued expansion into industry applications and fostering young talent, Dr. Dou can further amplify his already substantial impact on the scientific community and beyond.

Susobhan Das | Crystal Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Susobhan Das | Crystal Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Post-doctoral Research Associate at Free University of Brussels, Belgium.

Dr. Susobhan Das, born on February 13, 1993, in Srigouri, West Bengal, India, is a dedicated researcher in the field of crystal engineering and organic supramolecular chemistry. He completed his Ph.D. under the supervision of Prof. C. Malla Reddy at IISER Kolkata, India, where he delved into various aspects of crystal engineering and mechanical properties of functional molecular crystals. Currently, he is pursuing his post-doctoral research at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium under the guidance of Prof. Yves Geerts. Dr. Das has a strong academic background with a Master’s degree in Chemistry from Vidyasagar University. His research interests include crystal engineering, mechanical property design of crystals, and the development of green energy storage materials. Dr. Das has received numerous accolades for his research contributions, including prestigious awards such as the IUCr Young Scientist Award and Research Excellence Award for his outstanding performance in crystallography research.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Dr. Susobhan Das holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry, which he pursued from 2016 to 2022 under the supervision of Prof. C. Malla Reddy at IISER Kolkata, India. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Chemistry in 2015 and obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) in Chemistry in 2013, both from Vidyasagar University in Midnapore, West Bengal, India. Dr. Das has demonstrated a strong academic commitment and dedication to his field, evident from his pursuit of higher education and research endeavors. His educational background equips him with a solid foundation in chemistry, preparing him for his contributions to the scientific community.

Professional Experience

Dr. Susobhan Das has gained valuable professional experience through various research positions. From May 2022 to September 2023, he served as a Research Associate under the supervision of Prof. C. Malla Reddy at IISER Kolkata, India. Following this, he embarked on a Post-doctoral position at Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium, commencing in October 2022 and ongoing. These roles have provided him with opportunities to further his expertise in crystal engineering, organic supramolecular chemistry, and other areas within his research interests. Dr. Das’s professional journey reflects his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and contributing to the field of chemistry through his research endeavors.

Research Interest

Dr. Susobhan Das’s research interests span a diverse range of topics within the field of chemistry. He is particularly passionate about crystal engineering, focusing on areas such as mechanical property design of crystals, plastic crystals, single crystal-to-single crystal phase transitions, polymorphism, and self-healing molecular piezoelectric crystals. Additionally, his interests extend to chiral induced spin selectivity effect (CISSE), cocrystals (multi-component molecular crystals), optical waveguides, semiconducting crystals, and pharmaceutical solids. Dr. Das’s multifaceted research interests demonstrate his dedication to exploring various aspects of crystal chemistry and materials science, with the aim of advancing knowledge and contributing to the development of innovative materials and technologies.

Award and Honors

Dr. Susobhan Das has garnered numerous prestigious awards and honors for his exceptional contributions to the field of chemistry and crystallography. Among his notable achievements, he secured the 78th rank nationwide in the National Eligibility Test (CSIR-NET) in 2016, earning a Junior Research Fellowship from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India. Additionally, he qualified in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in the same year, administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, India. Dr. Das received an International Travel Support (ITS) grant from CSIR in 2019 to participate in the Asian Crystallographic Association (AsCA) conference in Singapore, where he was honored with the IUCr Young Scientist Award for his outstanding research performance. Further accolades include the Research Excellence Award from the Department of Chemical Sciences (DCS), IISER Kolkata in 2020 and the Best Poster Award at the International Conference on Advanced Materials and Mechanical Characterization (ICAMMC) in 2021. These distinctions underscore Dr. Susobhan Das’s dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and his remarkable achievements in the field.

Research Skills

Dr. Susobhan Das boasts a rich array of research skills developed over years of academic pursuit and professional engagement in the realm of chemistry and crystallography. His expertise encompasses a spectrum of essential competencies crucial for conducting cutting-edge research in his field. Proficient in crystallographic techniques like X-ray crystallography and neutron diffraction, he adeptly unveils the atomic and molecular structures of crystalline materials. Moreover, his prowess extends to experimental design, where he meticulously crafts and executes experiments to explore the properties and behaviors of these materials. Driven by a knack for data analysis, he skillfully interprets complex datasets, employing statistical and computational methods to derive meaningful insights. Additionally, his problem-solving acumen shines through as he tackles scientific challenges with innovative strategies. A collaborative spirit underscores his work, facilitating effective teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through comprehensive literature reviews, he remains abreast of the latest advancements, continuously enriching his research endeavors. Equally adept at presenting his findings, Dr. Das communicates scientific knowledge effectively through various mediums, ensuring its dissemination to diverse audiences. With a solid foundation in laboratory techniques, he ensures the accuracy and reproducibility of his experimental results. In essence, Dr. Susobhan Das epitomizes a dedicated researcher committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge in chemistry and crystallography.

Achievements

Dr. Susobhan Das has amassed an impressive array of achievements throughout his academic and professional journey, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the field of chemistry and crystallography. Notably, he clinched the 78th rank nationwide in the highly competitive National Eligibility Test (CSIR-NET) conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), earning him a coveted Junior Research Fellowship in 2016. His academic prowess was further validated by his success in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in the same year, administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, India. In recognition of his outstanding research endeavors, Dr. Das was bestowed with the prestigious “IUCr Young Scientist Award” by the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) during the Asian Crystallographic Association (AsCA) conference in 2019. His research excellence was further acknowledged by the Department of Chemical Sciences (DCS), IISER Kolkata, which honored him with the “Research Excellence Award” in 2020.

Publications

  1. Exceptional Thermo-Mechano-Fluorochromism and Nanomechanical Analysis of Mechanically Responsive J and H Type Polymorphic Systems
    • Authors: Deka, P., Das, S., Sarma, P., Reddy, C.M., Thakuria, R.
    • Journal: Crystal Growth and Design
    • Year: 2024
    • Volume: 24(6)
    • Pages: 2322–2330
    • Citations: 0
  2. Gas Release as an Efficient Strategy to Tune Mechanical Properties and Thermoresponsiveness of Dynamic Molecular Crystals
    • Authors: Das, S., Catalano, L., Geerts, Y.
    • Journal: Small
    • Year: 2024
    • Citations: 0
  3. Tris chelated meridional isomers of Co(III) complexes: Synthesis, crystal structure, protein binding, cytotoxicity studies and DFT/TDDFT calculation
    • Authors: Saren, D., Das, S., Paul, A., Manna, S.C., Puschmann, H.
    • Journal: Inorganica Chimica Acta
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 550
    • Pages: 121423
    • Citations: 3
  4. Heparin-Induced Dual Mode Luminescence Modulation of Organic Nanoparticles and Efficient Energy Transfer
    • Authors: Biswas, R., Das, S., Puschmann, H., Banerjee, S.
    • Journal: Chemistry – An Asian Journal
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 18(9)
    • Article ID: e202300100
    • Citations: 1
  5. Non-stoichiometric carbamazepine cocrystal hydrates of 3,4-/3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids: coformer-water exchange
    • Authors: Rajbongshi, T., Sarmah, K.K., Das, S., Reddy, C.M., Thakuria, R.
    • Journal: Chemical Communications
    • Year: 2023
    • Volume: 59(26)
    • Pages: 3902–3905
    • Citations: 1
  6. Elastic organic semiconducting single crystals for durable all-flexible field-effect transistors: insights into the bending mechanism
    • Authors: Samanta, R., Das, S., Mondal, S., Senanayak, S.P., Reddy, C.M.
    • Journal: Chemical Science
    • Year: 2022
    • Volume: 14(6)
    • Pages: 1363–1371
    • Citations: 20
  7. Viscoelastic Covalent Organic Nanotube Fabric via Macroscopic Entanglement
    • Authors: Koner, K., Das, S., Mohata, S., Reddy, C.M., Banerjee, R.
    • Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
    • Year: 2022
    • Volume: 144(35)
    • Pages: 16052–16059
    • Citations: 12
  8. Temperature-Reliant Dynamic Properties and Elasto-Plastic to Plastic Crystal (Rotator) Phase Transition in a Metal Oxyacid Salt
    • Authors: Das, S., Saha, S., Sahu, M., Mondal, A., Reddy, C.M.
    • Journal: Angewandte Chemie – International Edition
    • Year: 2022
    • Volume: 61(8)
    • Article ID: e202115359
    • Citations: 15
  9. Retraction Note: Mechanically interlocked architecture aids an ultra-stiff and ultra-hard elastically bendable cocrystal (Nature Communications, (2019), 10.1038/s41467-019-11657-0)
    • Authors: Dey, S., Das, S., Bhunia, S., Mukherjee, G.D., Reddy, C.M.
    • Journal: Nature Communications
    • Year: 2021
    • Volume: 12(1)
    • Article ID: 6104
    • Citations: 1
  10. Elastic orange emissive single crystals of 1,3-diamino-2,4,5,6-tetrabromobenzene as flexible optical waveguides
    • Authors: Gude, V., Choubey, P.S., Das, S., Reddy, C.M., Biradha, K.
    • Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry C
    • Year: 2021
    • Volume: 9(30)
    • Pages: 9465–9472
    • Citations: 17