Current Group Members

PhD Students

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.

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 using living materials and biomineralization to develop a more sustainable infrastructure.

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.

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.

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

Qingya Huang

I received my B.S. in Material Science and Engineering from University of Pittsburgh and Sichuan University in 2023. My research experience includes electrospinning and porous ceramic water filters. I’m currently interested in the synthesis and application of bioinspired and sustainable materials.

Chongyi Sun

I received my B.E. in Materials Science and Engineering from Tongji University in 2023 and joined the Yang Group in October 2024. My research background encompasses hydrogels, geopolymers, and 2D semiconductors. Currently, I work on soft actuators and functional fibers, employing additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing.

Yaojun Zeng

I received my B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Science and Technology Beijing in 2023. I joined the Yang group in February 2024 as a master student. My previous research experience focuses on the mercaptan removal of metal organic frameworks (MOFs). My current research focuses on synthesis of MOFs for carbon capture.

Postdoc Fellows

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.

Shouhong Fan

I received my B.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Colorado at Boulder in 2016 and 2023, respectively. My research interests include surface chemistry, Nano-imprinting lithography, confined phase separation and advanced polymeric membranes/porous films fabrication, which hold application potentials for liquid separation and metal-assisted chemical imprinting. My Ph.D. thesis focused on developing robust surface-patterned membranes for highly efficient hypersaline brine management and oily wastewater treatment.

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.

Md Nurul Islam

I earned my bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology in 2016, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of North Texas and the University of Oklahoma in 2023 and 2024, respectively. My research focuses on developing additively manufacturable functional materials for emerging applications and understanding the process-property-structure relationship in 3D-printed materials. Outside of the work, I enjoy playing soccer and badminton and spending time with my two kids.

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. For more information about my work, please check my website.

Shihyun Suk

I received my B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Pusan National University, South Korea, in 2016, and my Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea, in 2023. My research interests focus on low-temperature processing of low-dimensional nanomaterials (primarily 2D MXenes) for multifunctional coatings and interfaces.

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. Please check out my blog for more details.

Yu Wang

I received a B.S. in Hydraulic and Hydropower Engineering from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in 2017 and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University in 2018. Following this, I worked as a Structural Engineer at Jacobs Engineering Group in Chicago for two years, after which I earned my Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 2024. My research interests include sustainable infrastructure materials, additive manufacturing of concrete, and bio-inspired cement-based materials with emerging properties.

Zhen Wang

I received my B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry in 2016 and 2019 from Renmin University of China under the supervision of Prof. Yapei Wang. I completed my Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2024 in the Bio-inspired Photonics group at the University of Cambridge supervised by Prof. Silvia Vignolini. During my Ph.D. study, I developed a series of biocompatible bottlebrush block copolymers and explored their confined self-assembly within microfluidic droplets, leading to the fabrication of structurally colored pigments. My research interest focuses on the design, synthesis, and application of sustainable and responsive polymers, and explore functional photonic properties and environmental responsiveness.

Jingxian Wu

I received my B.S. in Chemistry from Soochow University in 2016, M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Soochow University in 2019 and Ph.D. In Chemistry from Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) under Prof. Haeshin Lee in 2024. My research interests include polymeric biomaterials, interface chemistry, bioadhesives and polyphenol.