Yi Zhang | Physical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Yi zhang | Physical chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Nanjing University, china

👨‍🎓Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Professor Yi Zhang's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the prestigious Peking University (2002–2006). Demonstrating early promise, he pursued a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2006–2011), under the supervision of Prof. Qi-Kun Xue. His formative academic years were marked by a deep immersion in solid-state physics, particularly focusing on advanced material growth techniques and surface science.

Professional Endeavors

After earning his doctorate, Prof. Zhang embarked on a globally collaborative postdoctoral fellowship (2011–2015), jointly hosted by the Advanced Light Source (ALS) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences (SIMES), under the mentorship of renowned physicist Prof. Zhi-Xun Shen. In 2015, he returned to China as a full Professor at the School of Physics, Nanjing University, where he began to lead his own independent research group.

Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Zhang's research is at the forefront of experimental condensed matter physics. His work combines molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) to explore the electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, topological insulators, and magnetic materials. Notable achievements include the MBE growth and ARPES characterization of topological Dirac semimetals (Na₃Bi), topological crystalline insulators (SnTe (111)), and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (MoSe₂, WSe₂, NbSe₂). His pioneering studies on the band structure transitions in 2D materials and topological systems have significantly advanced our understanding of quantum materials at the atomic scale.

Impact and Influence

Professor Zhang is widely recognized for his influential scientific output. He was named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in 2023, a testament to the global impact of his publications across multiple disciplines. In 2011, his research was ranked among the Top 100 Most Cited Chinese Papers Published in International Journals, highlighting his early influence in the field. His role as Principal Scientist in China's National Key R&D Program further cements his leadership in cutting-edge materials science.

Academic Cites and Honors

His prolific output has earned numerous prestigious honors:

  • 2023 Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-Field)

  • 2015 National Program for Thousand Young Talents of China

  • 2020 & 2017 Jiangsu Province High-Level Talent Programs

  • 2011 Top 100 Most Cited Chinese Papers

  • Chinese Academy of Sciences & Institute of Physics Student Excellence Awards (2010)

These accolades reflect both the depth and breadth of his academic influence.

Technical Skills

Prof. Zhang is an expert in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), mastering the growth of complex thin-film materials with atomic precision. His skill in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) enables him to probe electronic band structures and surface states with remarkable clarity. Additionally, his early work included scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies, demonstrating his versatility across multiple surface science techniques.

Teaching and Mentorship

As a professor at Nanjing University, Prof. Zhang is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of physicists. He combines rigorous training in experimental methods with a forward-thinking perspective on quantum materials, offering students and postdocs a rich, interdisciplinary research environment. Many of his mentees go on to pursue successful academic and research careers.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Yi Zhang stands at the intersection of innovation and impact. His research group continues to push the boundaries of quantum materials science, with a strong emphasis on emerging 2D magnetic and topological systems. As materials physics enters an era of quantum information and next-gen electronics, Prof. Zhang’s ongoing and future work promises to shape fundamental understanding and inspire transformative technologies.

Notable Publications

  • Title: Discovery of a Three-Dimensional Topological Dirac Semimetal, Na₃Bi
    Authors: Z.K. Liu, B. Zhou, Y. Zhang, Z.J. Wang, H.M. Weng, D. Prabhakaran, S.-K. Mo, et al.
    Journal: Science
    Year: 2014


  • Title: Giant Bandgap Renormalization and Excitonic Effects in a Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Semiconductor
    Authors: M.M. Ugeda, A.J. Bradley, S.F. Shi, H. Felipe, Y. Zhang, D.Y. Qiu, W. Ruan, et al.
    Journal: Nature Materials
    Year: 2014​

  • Title: Crossover of the Three-Dimensional Topological Insulator Bi₂Se₃ to the Two-Dimensional Limit
    Authors: Y. Zhang, K. He, C.-Z. Chang, C.-L. Song, L.-L. Wang, X. Chen, J.-F. Jia, et al.
    Journal: Nature Physics
    Year: 2010


  • Title: Direct Observation of the Transition from Indirect to Direct Bandgap in Atomically Thin Epitaxial MoSe₂
    Authors: Y. Zhang, T.-R. Chang, B. Zhou, Y.-T. Cui, H. Yan, Z. Liu, F. Schmitt, et al.
    Journal: Nature Nanotechnology
    Year: 2014

  • Title: Topological Quantum Compiling with Reinforcement Learning
    Authors: Yuan-Hang Zhang, Pei-Lin Zheng, Yi Zhang*, Dong-Ling Deng*
    Journal: Physical Review Letters
    Year: 2020​

 

Martin Gilar | Chromatography | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Martin Gilar | Chromatography | Best Researcher Award

Waters Corporation, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Martin Gilar completed his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 1996 from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague. His thesis, focused on the chiral separation of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, established his early interest in complex analytical challenges. With an MSc in Chemistry from the same institution, Dr. Gilar also gained expertise in organic technology, further refining his skills with a certificate in Pharmaceutical Analytical Methods from the Institute of Medical Postgraduate Education, Charles University.

💼 Professional Endeavors

He began his career as a Senior Staff Scientist at the Faculty Hospital of Charles University, Prague, where he led clinical studies and developed methods for drug monitoring and enantioseparation. His subsequent work at the National Institute of Health in Prague saw him pioneering capillary gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods to phenotype cytochrome P450 markers. He joined Waters Corporation in Milford, Massachusetts, where he continues to serve as a Research Fellow. Over more than two decades at Waters, he has made transformative advancements, from LC-MS analysis of oligonucleotides to multi-dimensional separations of complex proteins and peptides. He also contributed to the commercialization of impactful products like RapiGest and HILIC SPE plates, underscoring his contributions to both academia and industry.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

His research is deeply rooted in separation science, particularly in liquid chromatography (LC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and LC-MS methods. He has explored diverse biomolecules, from oligonucleotides to glycopeptides, establishing techniques that have refined the precision of these separations. His pioneering work includes the development of multi-dimensional protein separation techniques with MS detection and contributions to capillary electrophoresis instrumentation.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Gilar has made a significant impact on analytical chemistry, particularly in chromatography and oligonucleotide analysis. His methodologies are widely adopted in fields spanning pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics. His expertise is further recognized by prestigious accolades such as the Jaroslav Janak Medal from the Czech Academy of Science and the Chromatographic Society Jubilee Medal, underscoring his lasting influence in chromatography.

📈 Academic Citations and Patents

His innovations are not only influential in publications but also in patents. He holds several U.S. and international patents, including patents for solid-phase extraction devices and mass-spectrometric purification methods for biopolymers. These innovations have facilitated efficient sample preparation and complex biopolymer purification, enabling more accurate and high-throughput analyses. His work continues to be highly cited in academic circles, reflecting its foundational impact on modern analytical techniques.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise spans LC, UPLC, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. He has a deep knowledge of ion-pairing techniques, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), and two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC). His extensive experience with mass spectrometry (MS) and advanced detection systems has also supported his development of industry-leading techniques in protein, peptide, and oligonucleotide analysis.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience and Mentorship

Throughout his career, Dr. Gilar has been committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. His early role as a Staff Scientist at Northeastern University included supervising Ph.D. students and developing analytical instrumentation. His ongoing work at Waters Corporation has also involved leading and managing research teams, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovative research.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

His contributions have established a legacy in chromatography, particularly in innovative separation techniques and practical applications in biotechnology. His continued research at Waters Corporation promises to advance analytical chemistry, driving the field toward more precise, efficient, and reliable methods. As he remains active in both research and mentorship, His influence is set to endure, shaping the analytical landscape for years to come.

📖Notable Publications