Yao Lin

Yao Lin is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut. He was previously a George W. Beadle Postdoctoral Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago (2005-2008). Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a B.S. from Fudan University, Lin's research focuses on cooperative supramolecular polymerizations, folding cooperativity in complex macromolecules, and biomimetic materials synthesis.

• Education: Ph.D. (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), B.S. (Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R.C.)
• Postdoctoral: George W. Beadle Postdoctoral Fellow, Argonne National Laboratory & University of Chicago

Lin investigates supramolecular polymerizations of synthetic macromolecules and nanoparticles, with emphasis on folding cooperativity in large macromolecules. His work includes synthesis of macromolecular channels, multicatalytic enzyme-polymer assemblies for biomass conversion, and artificial regulation of protein activities via cyclic protein-polymer structures.

His recent publications (2022-2025) explore strain-responsive synthetic polypeptides, helical-helical block copolymers for ion transport, spider silk-inspired copolypeptides, and curvature-guided surface polymerization on gold nanorods. These studies span polymer chemistry, biomaterials engineering, and nanotechnology.

Contact: yao.lin@uconn.edu | Research Group Website