Zhiqaing Yang | Thermodynamics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Zhiqaing Yang | Thermodynamics | Best Researcher Award

Xi’an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Yang’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from Dalian University, where he developed a strong foundation in chemical sciences. He further pursued a Master’s degree in Applied Chemistry at MCRI, under the supervision of Prof. Lu Jian, focusing on catalysis and chemical processes related to fluorine-based compounds. Seeking to expand his expertise, he completed a Ph.D. in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermodynamics from Xi’an Jiaotong University, where he worked under Prof. Jiangtao Wu, specializing in thermodynamic properties and fluid behavior in industrial applications.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Yang has been actively involved in research and development at MCRI, holding various positions. As an Engineer in the Department of Catalysis and Chemical Process, he focused on HFO synthesis and chemical separation techniques. Later, as an Associate Researcher, he played a crucial role in the development of thermodynamic equipment and the study of HFO properties. Expanding his research internationally, he served as a Visiting Scholar at Mines ParisTech-PSL, CTP, under the supervision of Prof. Christophe Coquelet, where he conducted experimental studies on phase equilibrium for high-temperature heat pump working fluids. Currently, as a Researcher at the State Key Laboratory of Fluorine & Nitrogen Chemicals, he leads projects focused on experimental measurement and thermodynamic predictions for insulating gases and their environmental impact.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Yang’s research spans across various domains, including hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) synthesis and separation, thermodynamic property analysis, high-temperature heat pump working fluids, and environmentally friendly insulating gases. His work has significantly contributed to industrial refrigerants and insulation technologies, enhancing sustainability in chemical engineering and reducing the environmental footprint of industrial processes. His efforts in process simulation and modeling of multisystem thermodynamics during HFO preparation have improved efficiency and reliability in industrial applications.

💰 Funded Research Projects

Dr. Yang has secured multiple research grants, highlighting his leadership in high-impact projects. He is the Program Director of R&D and Application of New Environmentally Friendly Insulating Gases, funded by China Southern Power Grid Co. Ltd, with a funding of 5.5 million RMB. Additionally, he led the Technical Research on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Insulating Gases, supported by Sinochem Group Co. Ltd, with a funding of 194,000 RMB. His long-term project, Thermodynamic Properties and Process Simulation of Multisystem During Hydrofluoroolefin Preparation, received another 5.5 million RMB in funding from Sinochem Group Co. Ltd. Earlier in his career, he directed research on Thermophysical Properties of Low-GWP HFO and HFC Mixtures and Their Solubility in Lubricant, funded by the Industrial Ministry of Shaanxi Province for 200,000 RMB. He has also served as a key researcher in several national projects funded by the Industry and Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

📊 Impact and Influence

Dr. Yang’s research has had a profound impact on both academic and industrial sectors. His studies on low-GWP refrigerants and insulating gases contribute directly to global environmental efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By developing sustainable alternatives to traditional high-GWP chemicals, his work aligns with international climate policies and promotes energy-efficient chemical processes. His advancements in thermodynamic modeling and experimental research have improved industrial operations and enhanced the efficiency of chemical processes in refrigeration, insulation, and heat transfer applications.

📚 Academic Citations and Publications

Dr. Yang’s research findings have been published in renowned scientific journals and presented at leading international conferences. His work is frequently cited in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and industrial chemistry, reinforcing his reputation as a thought leader in the field.

🛠️ Technical Skills

With extensive expertise in chemical process engineering, Dr. Yang specializes in HFO synthesis, separation techniques, and thermodynamic modeling. His skill set includes experimental measurements, phase equilibrium modeling, and high-temperature heat pump fluid analysis. He is proficient in advanced analytical techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and calorimetry, which are essential for his research in chemical thermodynamics and process optimization.

🎓 Teaching and Mentorship

Dr. Yang has been actively involved in mentoring graduate students and early-career researchers, sharing his expertise in fluorine-based chemistry and thermodynamics. His collaborations with international institutions and industry partners have facilitated knowledge exchange and technological advancements, fostering the next generation of chemists and engineers.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a pioneer in green chemistry solutions, Dr. Yang aims to continue his research in environmentally friendly gases and sustainable industrial applications. His work on thermodynamic modeling and heat transfer technologies will contribute to energy-efficient, eco-friendly industrial processes. With a passion for innovation, he remains dedicated to training future experts in chemistry and chemical engineering, ensuring that his contributions leave a lasting impact on scientific progress and environmental sustainability.

📖Notable Publications

  • Investigation of vapor liquid equilibria for HFO-1336mzz(E) + HFC-1234ze(E) binary system by a novel developed cyclic-analytical apparatus

    • Authors: Zhiqiang Yang, Yuanhao Liao, Hong Yuan, Xiaobo Tang, Christophe Coquelet, Jijun Zeng, Sheng Han, Wei Zhang, Jian Lu

    • Journal: Fluid Phase Equilibria

    • Year: 2025

  • Discovery of a novel binary azeotrope with positive synergistic insulation strength as eco-friendly SF6-alternative

    • Authors: Yuyang Yao, Zhiqiang Yang, Boya Zhang, Xingwen Li, Mai Hao, Nian Tang, Dongwei Sun, Jian Lu

    • Journal: Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics

    • Year: 2025

  • Experimental measurements and correlation of vapor–liquid equilibrium data for the difluoromethane (R32) + 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234ze(E)) binary system from 254 to 348 K

    • Authors: Pierre Six, Alain Valtz, Yulong Zhou, Zhiqiang Yang, Christophe Coquelet

    • Journal: Fluid Phase Equilibria

    • Year: 2024

  • Synthesis, Characterization, and Physicochemical Properties of New [Emim][BF₃X] Complex Anion Ionic Liquids

    • Authors: Jijun, Bo Zhao, Yu An, Xiao-Bo Tang, Sheng Han, Zhi-Qiang Yang, Wei Zhang, Jian Lu

    • Journal: ACS Omega

    • Year: 2024

  • Synthesis of Perfluoro Alkyl/Alkenyl Aryl Sulfide: C−S Coupling Reaction Using Hexafluoropropylene Dimer (HFPD) as a Building Block

    • Authors: Yu An, Ji‐Jun Zeng, Xiao‐Bo Tang, Bo Zhao, Sheng Han, Zhi‐Qiang Yang, Wei Zhang, Jian Lu

    • Journal: European Journal of Organic Chemistry

    • Year: 2024

  • Isothermal Vapor–Liquid Equilibrium for the Binary System of Trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane

    • Authors: Nian Tang, Wenguo Gu, Dongwei Sun, Xiaobo Tang, Zhiqiang Yang, Jian Lu

    • Journal: International Journal of Thermophysics

    • Year: 2023

  • Critical properties and vapor-liquid equilibrium of two near-azeotropic mixtures containing HFOs

    • Authors: Zhiqiang Yang, Alain Valtz, Christophe Coquelet, Jiangtao Wu, Jian Lu

    • Journal: International Journal of Refrigeration

    • Year: 2022

 

Mary Higby Schweitzer | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Mary Higby Schweitzer | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

North Carolina State University, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🏛️ Early Academic Pursuits

Mary Higby Schweitzer’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Communicative Disorders from Utah State University in 1977. However, her passion for science and education led her to pursue a Certificate in Secondary Education with a focus on Broadfield Science at Montana State University in 1988. Her growing interest in paleontology and biology propelled her towards a Ph.D. in Biology from Montana State University in 1995, where she began her groundbreaking research into biomolecules. This phase of her academic life set the foundation for her future contributions to science.

🔬 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Schweitzer’s professional career has been marked by a steady progression through prestigious academic and research institutions. She has been a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University since 2015 and has served as a Visiting Professor at Lund University, Sweden, since 2014. In addition, she has held the role of Research Associate at the Museum of the Rockies since 2018, where she continues to collaborate on vertebrate paleontology studies. Prior to this, she worked in various capacities at Montana State University and North Carolina State University, transitioning from an assistant professor to a leading faculty member in the fields of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences. Her long-standing association with the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences as a Research Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology since 2003 reflects her dedication to both research and public science communication.

🏆 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Schweitzer is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking discovery of soft tissues, proteins, and potential DNA remnants in fossilized dinosaur bones. This finding challenged traditional assumptions about fossilization and opened up new possibilities for studying ancient biomolecules. Her research has demonstrated that biomolecules such as collagen proteins can persist for millions of years, providing direct biochemical evidence of evolutionary links between dinosaurs and modern birds. Her work in molecular paleontology, vertebrate taphonomy, and protein preservation has not only expanded our understanding of how biological materials endure over time but has also introduced new methodologies for studying ancient life at the molecular level.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Schweitzer’s work has significantly influenced paleontology, evolutionary biology, andbiomolecules. Her research has been pivotal in demonstrating that organic materials can survive fossilization, reshaping our understanding of ancient life and its preservation. By uncovering biochemical links between extinct species and their modern relatives, her discoveries have provided strong molecular evidence supporting evolutionary theory. Beyond her own research, she has played a key role in shaping the scientific landscape as a reviewer for high-impact journals such as Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and PLOS Biology. Her contributions have ensured that new discoveries in the field maintain the highest standards of scientific rigor.

📚 Academic Citations and Recognition

With an extensive portfolio of highly cited papers, Dr. Schweitzer’s research continues to be a cornerstone of molecular paleontology. Her honorary doctorate from Lund University in Sweden is a testament to her international recognition and influence in the field. Her publications have been widely referenced by paleontologists, biologists, and geochemists, further highlighting the multidisciplinary impact of her work.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Schweitzer possesses expertise in a wide range of advanced scientific techniques, including immunohistochemistry, paleohistology, microscopy, and geochemical analysis. Her ability to extract and analyze ancient proteins and biomolecules has been instrumental in confirming the preservation of soft tissues in fossils. Her technical skills also extend to spectroscopy, molecular imaging, and biochemical analysis, allowing her to identify and characterize ancient biological materials with high precision.

🎓 Teaching Experience and Mentorship

A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Schweitzer has trained and guided numerous graduate and Ph.D. students throughout her career. She has held teaching positions at Montana State University and North Carolina State University, where she has inspired students to explore the intersections of biology, paleontology, and molecular science. Through her mentorship, she has played a vital role in fostering the next generation of researchers who continue to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Schweitzer’s revolutionary research has reshaped the field of paleontology and will continue to influence scientific inquiry for years to come. Her discoveries have bridged the gap between biology and paleontology, offering new insights into how ancient life is preserved at the molecular level. Moving forward, her research could unlock even more secrets about extinct species, further deepening our understanding of Earth’s biological history. Her commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovative methodologies ensures that her legacy will endure, paving the way for future scientific breakthroughs in fossil preservation and molecular evolution. 🚀🔬

📖Notable Publications

Melanosomes and ancient coloration re-examined: A response to Vinther 2015

Authors: Mary Higby Schweitzer, Johan Lindgren, Alison E. Moyer

Journal: BioEssays

Year: 2015

Interpreting melanin-based coloration through deep time: A critical review

Authors: Johan Lindgren, Alison E. Moyer, Mary Higby Schweitzer, Bo Pagh Schultz, Benjamin P. Kear

Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Year: 2015

Biologically and diagenetically derived peptide modifications in moa collagens

Authors: Timothy P. Cleland, Elena R. Schroeter, Mary Higby Schweitzer

Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Year: 2015

A pelomedusoid turtle from the Paleocene-Eocene of Colombia exhibiting preservation of blood vessels and osteocytes

Authors: Edwin A. Cadena, Mary Higby Schweitzer

Journal: Journal of Herpetology

Year: 2014

Synchrotron chemical and structural analysis of Tyrannosaurus rex blood vessels: The contribution of collagen hypercrosslinking to tissue longevity

Authors: Elizabeth M. Boatman, Mark B. Goodwin, Hoi Ying N. Holman, Ronald Gronsky, John R. Horner

Journal: Microscopy and Microanalysis

Year: 2014