Zhao Yanli

Prof. Zhao Yanli serves as Professor and Associate Chair (Research & Graduate Education) at Nanyang Technological University's School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, holding the prestigious Lee Soo Ying Professorship in Materials Chemistry. He leads an active research program as Executive Editor of ACS Applied Nano Materials and principal investigator of the Zhao Group, with significant contributions to materials science and nanotechnology.

His academic foundation includes:

• B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Nankai University
• Postdoctoral research at UCLA (Advisors: Prof. Sir Fraser Stoddart and Prof. Jeffrey Zink)
• Postdoctoral research at Northwestern University (Advisor: Prof. Sir Fraser Stoddart)

Prof. Zhao's research integrates three synergistic domains: Biomedical Systems for precision bioimaging and targeted therapy, Catalytic Materials for sustainable chemical conversion, and Supramolecular Chemistry for fundamental molecular design. This interdisciplinary approach bridges chemistry, engineering, and life sciences to address complex challenges in healthcare and sustainable technology, with publications spanning top journals like Chemical Reviews and Nature Protocols.

His exceptional contributions are recognized through numerous awards:

• NTU College of Engineering Research Award (2025)
• Fellow of Singapore National Academy of Science (2024)
• Highly Cited Researcher status (2018-2024)
• Singapore National Research Foundation Investigatorship (2018)
• Mitsui Chemicals-SNIC Industry Award (2023)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2022)

Prof. Zhao maintains a vibrant research ecosystem with 10 current graduate students and over 60 former advisees, supported by competitive grants and institutional recognition. His lab fosters collaborative innovation through international partnerships and industry engagement, providing trainees with comprehensive experience in cutting-edge materials research. The Zhao Group exemplifies NTU's commitment to translational science through its focus on developing practical solutions from fundamental discoveries.

He directs the Zhao Group, which operates as a dynamic interdisciplinary hub with 30+ research staff members focused on advancing materials chemistry through state-of-the-art experimental approaches and collaborative projects.