About
Dr. Yi Shen is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, and Chair of RACI Women in Chemistry. She is also affiliated with multiple research institutes including Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, The Centre for Drug Discovery Innovation, and The University of Sydney Nano Institute.
- PhD in Soft Materials from ETH Zurich
- Postdoctoral research at University of Cambridge and Harvard University
Her research focuses on protein phase behavior and functional biomaterials development, utilizing soft matter approaches and microfluidic techniques to address challenges in neurodegenerative diseases, sustainable materials, and biomedical engineering. She has published extensively in top journals like Nature Nanotechnology and PNAS, with a particular emphasis on:
- Protein liquid-liquid phase separation mechanisms
- Biomaterials from protein nanofibrils
- Microfluidic manipulation of biological systems
- Biodegradable bioplastics development
- Shear force effects on biomolecular systems
- Pathological protein aggregation dynamics
Key scientific achievements include:
- 2022 ARC DECRA Fellowship
- 2022 Sydney Nano Frontier award
- 2018 ETH Zurich Spark Award (for Fe delivery system invention)
- 2012 Princeton Grand Challenges Program
- 2 patents pending
- 2 Nature Nanotechnology cover articles
As an educator, she coordinates CHNG2802 Chemical Engineering Modelling and Analysis, co-teaches CHNG3804 Biochemical Engineering and CHNG5605 Bio-products: Laboratory to Marketplace, and guest lectures across biomedical and nanotechnology programs. Her lab actively collaborates with institutions in Switzerland (ETH Zurich), UK (Cambridge), and US (Harvard, Princeton), focusing on transforming biomolecular understanding into real-world applications in health, industry, and environmental sustainability.
