Ziming Yang

Ziming Yang serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry within Oakland University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research laboratory is housed in the Mathematics and Science Center (Room 289), where he conducts experimental work on environmental chemical processes with implications for planetary science and ecosystem health. Contact is available via phone (248-370-2339) or email (zimingyang@oakland.edu).

His academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. from Arizona State University (2014)
• Postdoctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2014-2016)

Dr. Yang's research integrates Biogeochemistry, Organic Geochemistry, and Astrobiology to investigate hydrothermal reaction mechanisms, mineral-organic interactions, and elemental cycling in natural systems. His experimental approach focuses on simulating environmental conditions to elucidate reaction kinetics in processes ranging from prebiotic organic synthesis to pollutant transformation. Key methodologies include hydrothermal reactors, spectroscopic analysis, and molecular characterization of organic matter, with applications spanning terrestrial ecosystems and potential extraterrestrial environments.

Analysis of his 2018-2020 publications reveals consistent exploration of hydrothermal chemistry under environmental constraints. His work demonstrates how mineral surfaces and metal catalysts govern organic reactions relevant to early Earth conditions and modern pollution dynamics. Recurring themes include temperature-dependent enzyme-mineral interactions, mercury biogeochemistry in freshwater systems, and climate change impacts on Arctic carbon cycling. These studies bridge geochemistry, environmental toxicology, and astrobiology through rigorous laboratory experimentation.

Scientific Awards: No awards or fellowships were documented in the provided materials.

Dr. Yang maintains an active research group evidenced by continuous group photos from 2018 through 2025, indicating sustained mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers. His laboratory currently recruits new students, suggesting ongoing project funding though specific grants remain unlisted. Collaborative patterns in publications indicate partnerships with national laboratories and interdisciplinary environmental science teams.

The Yang Lab operates as a cohesive research unit focused on experimental biogeochemistry, with infrastructure supporting hydrothermal reaction studies, organic analysis, and environmental simulation. Current projects extend from Lake Michigan shoreline mercury studies to Arctic soil warming experiments, positioning the group at the intersection of climate change research and fundamental chemical processes in natural systems.