People

Principal Investigator

Professor Ya-Huei (Cathy) Chin

Emerging Leader of Chemical Engineering (2017)

Alexander von Humboldt Fellow

Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Advanced Catalysis for Sustainable Chemistry (2016-present)

Editor, Journal of Catalysis

Contact information: cathy dot chin at utoronto dot ca

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2011
MS in Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 2000

Professional Experience

2021 to date Professor University of Toronto
2016 – 2021 Associate Professor University of Toronto
2011 – 2016 Assistant Professor University of Toronto
Aug 2005 – Apr 2011 Research Assistant University of California, Berkeley
Apr 2000 – July 2005 Research Engineer/Senior Research Scientist Pacific Northwest National Laboratory


Postdoctoral Fellows


Graduate Students

William Broomhead

PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2019 to date
BChE in Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, USA, 2019
BS in Chemistry, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, USA, 2019

Metal oxide catalysts could contain multiple catalytic functions, such as redox or acid sites, which catalyze the cascade reactions involved in the upgrading of biomass-derived alkanols to value-added oxygenate products. In my research, I focus on understanding the fundamental nature of the redox and acid sites as well as how we can tune the catalyst structure to remove kinetic bottlenecks and enable cascade reactions. In doing so, I have developed new ways to experimentally assess the redox and acid site strengths on complex and ill-defined oxide surfaces. During my free time, I enjoy playing board games with friends.

Guangming Cai

PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2019 to date
MSc in Chemical Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, 2019
BSc in Pharmaceutical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China, 2016

From my experience, I know that catalytic reactions are particularly important and they often conform to certain catalytic reaction kinetics, which directly or indirectly determine the reaction directions. Right now, my research focuses on chemical conversion for drop in liquid fuel (OME) and exploration of mechanism with kinetic means.

Junfeng Guo

PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sep 2019 to date
MSc in Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 2019
BSc in Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 2014

My research involves the solid acid catalyzed synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether from methanol derived from sustainable feedstocks, where I studied the kinetics and structure effects of the catalysts on this reaction, as well as possible deactivation mechanisms. My past research experience has been focused on designing experimental systems for the selective oxidation of methane at high pressures inspired by DFT studies.

Abel Tetteh Sika-Nartey

PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2021 to date
MSc in Chemistry, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, 2021
BSc in Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, 2015

My previous research was geared towards a novel synthesis method of catalytic metal hydroxide nanostructures for low temperature aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes via activation of C(sp3)-H bonds. In-situ spectroscopic methods/techniques were utilized to probe these materials and the catalytic reaction mechanisms. My current study focusses on employing kinetic and mechanistic studies to investigate solvent effects on catalytic C-O bond cleavage in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. A fundamental and molecular scale understanding of this catalytic process, among others, can address current global issues of climate change and sustainable energy production.

Sebastian Cook

PhD student in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2023 to date
MESc in Chemical Engineering, Western University, Canada, 2023
BESc in Chemical Engineering, Western University, Canada, 2021

I believe chemical engineering and catalysis in particular is an incredibly important part in solving several issues that plague society today. This importance has established my deep passion for renewable fuels research starting with my master’s degree at Western University. There I researched a key step for the creation of sustainable diesel being the consequences of the catalyst pellet architecture in a methanol to dimethoxymethane reaction. Currently at Toronto I am examining the upgrading of simple alcohols to higher carbon compounds over zeolitic materials for the use in sustainable aviation fuel.

Bolin Liu

PhD student in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2023 to date 
MSc in Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, China, 2022 
BSc in Applied Chemistry, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, China, 2019 

My previous research involves in the synthesis of electrode materials of sodium and magnesium batteries which I learned the regulation of material morphologies, characterization methods as well as battery performance testing. My current study focuses on the kinetic and mechanistic investigation of zeolite catalysis in methanol to hydrocarbon (MTH) process.  

Kamal Nayan

PhD student in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2023 to Present
B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, India, 2023

Previously, I have been working on the development of novel solvents for CO2 capture, the development of thermal energy storage materials for low-temperature applications, and the prediction of thermophysical properties of phase change materials using AI. Presently, my research is focused on conducting kinetic and mechanistic studies to explore the influence of solvents on catalytic reactions involving the scission of C-H bonds in heterogeneous catalysis.

Puhua Sun

PhD student in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2023 to date
MSc in Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Petroleum, China, 2023
BSc in Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Petroleum, China, 2020

My previous research has been focused on Catalysis, Process Simulation, Life Cycle Assessment, which is about catalytic mechanism and catalyst modification to study the reaction from sustainable source and simulation for industrial potential. My current study focuses on researching kinetics and mechanism to investigate light alkane and CO2 activation and reactions. A fundamental understanding and mechanism of these catalytic cycles could address carbon neutral targets.

Kalpak Chakraborty

MEng Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2022 to date

Arwa Zahid

MEng Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Jan 2023 to date


Visiting Scholars

Peng Zhang

PhD student in Chemistry, China University of Petroleum- Beijing, China, Sept 2019 to date
BSc in Applied Chemistry, China University of Petroleum- Beijing, China, 2019

My research focuses on the surface modification of metal oxides and elucidating the structure-reactivity relationship through a combination of experiments and DFT calculations. The specific reaction centers on deep oxidation, encompassing the oxidation processes of soot, CO, and VOCs. One of my efforts is to investigate the facet-dependent performance of metal oxides by crystal facet engineering. Another aspect of my work involves modulating the dominant exposed surfaces and investigating their structure-reactivity relationships, including near-surface doping, and supporting noble metal clusters (single atoms or nanoparticles).

Alumni

Postdoctoral Fellows

Jaekyoung Lee (2020-2021)
Haiting Cai (2020)
Guang Miao (2020)
Junnan Shangguan (2019)
Alyssa Hensley (2018-2019)
Wenyao Chen (2018-2019)
Weifeng Tu (2014-2015, 2016)
Yifei Yang (2015-2016)
Dae-Woon Jeong (2015)

PhD Students

Haoyu Nie (2015-2020)
Haiting Cai (2014-2020)
Petar Lachkov (2012-2018)
Junnan Shangguan (2013-2018)
Fan Lin (2011-2016)

Masters Students

Zhenwei Wu (2016-2020)
Roham Dorakhan (2018-2020)
Sara Eskandarifar (2013-2015)

MEng Students

Turar Tanirbergenov (2019-2020)
Siwei Liu (2012-2013)

Visiting Scholars

Siran Zhang (2022-2023)
Lili Zhang (2021-2023)
Rui Yao (2017-2019)
Zhishan Li (2018-2019)
Zhuole Lu (2018-2019)
Abisola Adeyemo (2018)
Leander Morgenstern (2018)
Zhao Li (2018)
Haojie Geng (2016-2017)
Niklas Pfriem (2016-2017)
Alessandro Quarantotto (2015-2017)
Stephanie Gschöderer (2015)
Ehsan Shafia (2014)
Lansana Souane (2014)
Weifeng Tu (2011-2013)
Jing Ma (2012-2013)
Linus Schulz (2013)
Jun Li (2012-2013)
Peng Cheng Wang (2012-2013)

4th Year Thesis Students

Xinyu (Bella) Zhang (2022-2023)
Lilly Yu (2016-2017)
Manyi Zhao (2015-2016)
Yinan Xu (2015-2016)
Hyun Kim (2013-2014)
Jay Lin (2013-2014)
Marty Tzolov (2012-2013)
Atif Vaniyambadi (2012-2013)
Peter Zhao (2011-2012)
Kai Ling Phon (2011-2012)

Summer Students

Michael Chan (2023)
Joyce Kexin Qian (2023)
Xinyu (Bella) Zhang (2022)
Mackenzie Gole (2022)
Edward Lombo (2022)
Anthony Ozguler (2020)
Yinrui Xu (2020)
Megan Ty (2019)
Samantha Kim (2018)
Yu Huang (2018)
Julia Lu (2017)
Jose de Jesus Montaño (2017)
Rudan Zheng (2017)
Gabriel Negrelli Garcia (2016)
Ziyu Bao (2016)
Chen Fan (2015)
Yinan Xu (2013, 2014, 2015)
Jieyu Wu (2014)
Odo Wang (2014)
Manyi Zhao (2014)
Carlos Filho (2013)
Artur Franco Silva Alves (2013)
Rafael Heilbuth (2013)
Andre Schadeck (2013)
Atif Vaniyambadi (2013)
Ee Fang Wong (2013)
Han-Yue Fu (2012)
Hui-Huang Hoe (2012)
Jay Lin (2012)