Current Group Members

PhD Students

Hannah Clarkson (she/her)

I received my B.S. in Integrated Humanities and Engineering from Lehigh University in 2022, with concentrations in Materials Science and Engineering and Product Design. I joined the Yang group in August 2022. Being a part of Lehigh's Integrated Degree in Engineering and Arts and Sciences program allowed me to study both the properties of materials on a micro/nanoscale and how those materials are scaled up and used in everyday applications. My research focuses on developing sustainable materials for 3D printing in structural applications, as well as improving polymer sustainability.

Shangsong Li

I received my B.E. in Materials Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2022. Then I joined Prof Yang’s group in Aug 2022 as a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering. My research interest is responsive materials (liquid crystal, magnetic microparticles, quantum dots, polymer-based or metal-based composite) which can respond to multiphysical field (AC/DC magnetic field, AC/DC electric field, light irradiation) and their related applications (microrobot, microreactor, biocatalysis).

Antonio Proctor Martinez photo

Antonio Proctor Martinez

I received my B.S. in Fiber Science from Cornell University in 2021. I joined the Yang group in July 2021 as a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering. During my undergraduate, I was able to take a number of apparel design courses that have supplemented my research perspective and interests. Combined with my background in polymers, it has allowed me to comprehend the use of materials through the eyes of a designer and inform my developments in the laboratory as a scientist. My research interests are within the fields of functional fibers, yarns, and textiles as well as utilizing textile technology/structures for soft and autonomous robotics.

Zhengdan Lin

I received my B.S. degree in Material Science and Engineering from Beijing University of Chemical Technology in 2019 and M.E. degree in Material Chemistry and Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2021. I am a Ph.D. student at Tokyo Institute of Technology, and I joined the Yang group as a visiting student. My research interests include the synthesis of responsive liquid crystal elastomers and the synthesis and morphology control of block copolymers.

So Hee Nah

So Hee Nah

I received my B.S. degree in Physics Education from Seoul National University, South Korea in 2019. My research interest focuses on synthesis and assembly of colloidal nanoparticles, molecularly imprinted polymers, photonic crystals, and their potential applications in biosensors, soft actuators, and drug delivery.

Alicia Ng photo

Alicia Ng

I received my BS and MS in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018. I then worked as a technology consultant at Accenture for a few years and joined the Yang group in August 2021. My research experience includes synthesizing colloids at NYU and formulating UV cure coatings at Axalta. I am interested in the synthesis, application, and sustainability of polymers.

Ziyun Zhang

Ziyun Zhang

I received my B.S. degree in Textile Engineering from Donghua University, China in 2021. My previous research experience includes modification of fibers, air filtration, functional yarns’ design and membranes. I am currently interested in soft actuators, fibers and e-wearable devices.

Master Students

Archita Agarwal

I received my B.Tech in Polymer Science and Technology from the Institute of Chemical Technology (India) in 2022. My past research focused on formulating and evaluating water-based coatings. My general research interest is in the field of polymers, and I’m currently conducting research on sustainable materials.

Tiffany Chui

I received my B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University in 2022. My past research focused on the mechanical properties of cellulose based materials. My current research interests include synthesis of functional nanoparticles and sustainable materials.

Bingzhi He

I received my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2022. My past research focused on the fabrication of soft robots with dielectric elastomers. I will work on micro-/ nanocarrier-based drug delivery.

Sophia Jackson

I received my B.S.A. in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2023. During my undergraduate, my research consisted of evaluating the mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibers and similar derivatives with a particular interest in bioinspired antibacterial applications. Additionally, I worked on wet spinning of various polymers to create more efficient functional textiles. My current research interests include functional sustainable materials (fiber/ hydrogel/ adhesion/ deposition based) and their commercial applications in industry.

Postdoc Fellows

Baohong Chen photo

Baohong Chen

I received my B.E. in Aircraft Design and Engineering and M.E. in Solid Mechanics at Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2013 and 2016. My past research topic was designing soft electric actuators. I received my M.E. and Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences at Harvard University in 2018 and 2021. My research focus of the Ph.D. program was on mechanical and electrical properties of polymer interfaces and their applications. My current research interests are bio-adhesives, functional polymers, and tissue engineering. My general research interests are mechanics, electronics, polymers, and neuroscience.

Yinding Chi

I received B.S. in Measurement and Control Technology and Instrumentation from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2014, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder in 2017 and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2022. My research interests include stimuli-responsive materials, mechanics guided soft robotics and mechanics and design of mechanical metamaterials.

Yaoye Hong

I received B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2015, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University in 2018, and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2023. My research interests include solid mechanics, metamaterials, active materials, and soft actuators.

Yunchan Lee

I received my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Hanyang University, South Korea in 2014 and my Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Seoul National University, South Korea in 2021. My research interests surface engineering on patterned films, design and fabrication of complex functional structures, controlling surface property, water harvesting materials and photonic structures.

Jong Bin Kim

I received B.S. degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Yonsei University in 2017 and M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in 2019 and 2023, respectively. My research ranges from investigating the intricate interplay of optical phenomena to exploiting soft materials. Additionally, my work encompasses the exploration and development of advanced manufacturing strategies tailored to this research domain, including photolithographic methods, 3D printing techniques, and the application of microfluidics.

Kunyu Wang (jointly with Chris Murrary)

I received my B.S. in Chemistry at Nankai University in 2018 and my Ph.D. in Chemistry at Texas A&M University in 2023, respectively. My previous research focuses on structural design and synthesis of nanoporous materials with tailorable porosity, molecular packing, chemical composition, and topology, which feature application potentials in enantioselective separation, luminescence sensing, and catalysis. I joined Prof. Shu Yang's group as a Vagelos Institute Postdoctoral Fellow working with Prof. Christopher Murray.

Kun-Hao (Ted) Yu

I received my B.S. in Civil Engineering from National Central University in 2014 and my M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California in 2016 and 2022, respectively. My research aims to understand and exploit interesting characteristics of bioinspired materials and structures through fundamental mechanics and advanced manufacturing. For more information about my research, please check my website.