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 Fellow
Dr. 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.
Dr. Arvind Singh Chauhan
Post-doctoral fellow, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Canada, October 2024 to date
Post-doctoral fellow, Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, India, February 2024 to September 2024
PhD in Chemical Sciences, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India, 2024
MSc in Applied Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, 2017
BSc in Chemistry, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India, 2015
Catalysis is key to sustainable chemistry by increasing reaction efficiency, reducing energy use, and minimizing waste. It enables eco-friendly processes, making industrial practices more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible. My research focuses on the design, development, and characterization of heterogeneous catalysts, with applications in complex organic transformations aimed at producing renewable fine chemicals. During my doctoral research, I concentrated on biofuel and biopolymer production from biomass-derived furanics via sustainable catalytic methodologies.
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.
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.
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.
Xueqiu Wu
PhD student in Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Sept 2024 to date
MSc in Chemistry, China University of Petroleum- Beijing, China, 2024
BSc in Applied Chemistry, China University of Petroleum- Beijing, China, 2021
My research focuses on the kinetics and mechanisms of CH4−CO2 reactions, with the aim of understanding C-H bond cleavage and C-O bond formation in heterogeneous catalytic reactions at the molecular level. In my previous research, I concentrated on the design of propane dehydrogenation catalysts and investigating the reaction mechanism.
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).
Summer Students
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
Guangming Cai (2019-2024)
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
Arwa Zahid (2023-2024)
Kalpak Chakraborty (2022-2024)
Turar Tanirbergenov (2019-2020)
Siwei Liu (2012-2013)
Visiting Scholars
Bolin Liu (2023-2024)
Puhua Sun (2023-2024)
Siran Zhang (2022-2023)
Lili Zhang (2021-2023)
Qiuyu Shi (2021-2022)
Chengqian Wu (2020-2022)
Anlan Hong (2020-2021)
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
Aiying Han (2024)
Karen Qin (2024)
Yunfan Su (2024)
Ziqi Wei (2024)
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)