Ms. Yun Zhao | Analytical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award
Shanghai Institute of Technology, China
Profiles
Early Academic Pursuits
Ms. Yun Zhao, originally from Shanghai, pursued her Ph.D. in Science at the prestigious Nanjing University, laying a strong foundation for her academic and research journey in the field of chemistry. Her early education and research were deeply rooted in analytical and environmental chemistry, preparing her for a distinguished career in both theoretical and applied scientific research.
Professional Endeavors
Since October 2014, Ms. Zhao has served at the School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, rising through the ranks to become Associate Professor, Master’s Supervisor, and currently Vice Dean of the School. Between September 2020 and November 2024, she also served concurrently at the Higher Vocational College within the university. Her leadership is reflected not only in academic management but also in strategic research coordination and teaching excellence.
Contributions and Research Focus
Ms. Zhao’s primary research interests include green chemistry, clean energy, and chemical process analysis and control technology. She has led 4 major national and provincial-level research projects, including a National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Project, and has completed over 10 enterprise-funded R&D projects, contributing significantly to applied chemical engineering. Her research achievements have secured more than ¥3.42 million RMB in funding. She has published 35 SCI-indexed papers, filed 14 invention patents (with 4 already granted), and developed impactful industry collaborations.
Impact and Influence
Recognized as a recipient of the 2023 Shanghai Rising-Star Program for Young Scientists and Technologists, Ms. Zhao has gained considerable acclaim in both academic and industry circles. Her influence extends into education, having won four prestigious provincial/ministerial-level teaching awards, including the First and Second Class Shanghai Teaching Achievement Awards, and the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Education Teaching Achievement Award.
Academic Citations & Peer Recognition
Her role as a peer reviewer for leading international journals like Advanced Functional Materials and Analytical Chemistry signifies her standing in the global scientific community. With 35 high-impact SCI publications, Ms. Zhao continues to be a strong contributor to scholarly discourse in analytical chemistry and chemical engineering education.
Technical Skills
Ms. Zhao demonstrates advanced technical expertise in instrumental analysis, analytical chemistry, and process control systems. Her hands-on experience in both experimental and theoretical techniques has enabled her to design efficient, eco-friendly chemical processes, making notable contributions to sustainable chemistry and energy systems.
Teaching Experience
Ms. Zhao is actively involved in undergraduate education, teaching bilingual courses such as Instrumental Analysis and Analytical Chemistry. She also serves as Chief Editor for the widely used textbook Professional English for Chemical Engineering, enhancing the linguistic and professional competence of future chemical engineers.
Student Mentorship & Competitions
She has been a dynamic mentor, guiding students in major competitions like the China International College Students’ “Internet+” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and helping them win multiple awards, including the 1st team prize and individual prizes (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) in the Chemical Laboratory Technology category of the 9th Shanghai “Starlight Plan” Vocational College Skills Competition.
Legacy and Future Contributions
With a robust foundation in research and a commitment to excellence in teaching and leadership, Ms. Zhao is shaping the future of chemical engineering education and sustainable technology development in China. Her ongoing work aims to bridge academic research with industrial innovation, reinforcing her legacy as a transformative educator and scientist in the field.
Notable Publications
Unlocking the access to nature-identical vanillin via isoeugenol ozonation: in situ ATR-IR monitoring and safety evaluation
Authors: Yun Zhao, Tingfei Li, Sisi Xie, Pingyi Zhang, Haifang Mao
Journal: Analytical Methods
Year: 2025
Enhanced enantioselective separation of racemic menthol via reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography: Method development and computational insights for pre-screening
Authors: Haifang Mao, Yucheng Zhou, Zhengyang Xu, Yun Zhao
Journal: Talanta
Year: 2025
Application of in situ ATR-IR spectroscopy for the synthesis of bisphenol F: optimization, mechanistic and kinetics studies
Authors: Yun Zhao, Xinkai Zhang, Yanxia Chen, Pingyi Zhang, Haifang Mao
Journal: Analytical Methods
Year: 2023
Accelerating Surface Lattice Oxygen Activation of Pt/TiO2–x by Modulating the Interface Electron Interaction for Efficient Photocatalytic Toluene Oxidation
Authors: Haifang Mao, Mengli Xu, Shuangjun Li, Yuqing Ren, Yun Zhao, Jun Yu, Qizhong Zhang, Wenshu Zhao, Gui Zhang, Lan Yan et al.
Journal: ACS ES&T Engineering
Year: 2023
Boosting Higher Selectivity for Thymol Hydrogenation Reaction over Ni/Ce Catalyst
Authors: Haifang Mao, Yongqi Wu, Bo Cui, Yun Zhao, Xiang Zheng
Journal: Catalysts
Year: 2023
An in-depth mechanistic study of the p-hydroxyphenylglycine synthetic process using in situ ATR-IR spectroscopy
Authors: Hai-Fang Mao, Hui-Min Xing, Miao-Miao Jin, Ji-Bo Liu, Yue-Liang Yao, Yun Zhao
Journal: Analytical Methods
Year: 2022
Cycloaddition of carbon dioxide and epoxides over Fe-PYPA: Synthetic optimization and mechanistic study
Authors: Mao, Hai-Fang; Fu, Hong-Qing; Liu, Ji-Bo; Zhao, Yun
Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Year: 2022