Rui Shi | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rui Shi | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rui Shi is an Associate Researcher and Master’s Supervisor at the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) 🧪. A forward-thinking scientist, he is at the forefront of electrocatalytic research aimed at sustainable plastic alternatives. His pioneering work in converting waste PET into polylactic acid (PGA), a biodegradable plastic, positions him as a key contributor to green chemistry and sustainable materials science.

Professional profile👤

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Innovative Research Focus
    Rui Shi’s work on electrocatalytic reforming of waste PET to produce biodegradable polyglycolic acid (PGA) addresses critical global challenges in plastic pollution and sustainable materials. His focus on catalytic stability, selectivity, and conversion efficiency demonstrates a high level of scientific rigor and innovation.

  • Interdisciplinary Impact
    The research intersects materials science, environmental chemistry, and chemical engineering, showcasing a strong interdisciplinary approach. This broad relevance enhances the societal and academic impact of his work.

  • Research Output and Quality
    With over 30 publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, and Chemical Science, Rui Shi demonstrates both productivity and excellence. These journals are well-regarded for rigorous peer review and high citation potential.

  • Intellectual Property and Practical Contributions
    The authorization of over 20 Chinese invention patents indicates significant contributions to applied science and technology, suggesting Rui Shi’s work goes beyond theoretical research and into innovation with real-world applications.

  • Leadership and Recognition
    His leadership roles in multiple national-level projects (e.g., National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key R&D Program) confirm recognition of his expertise and trust in his leadership from major scientific institutions.

🎓 Education

Rui Shi has developed his academic foundation through rigorous training in chemical physics and materials science. His educational path, rooted in some of China’s top institutions, has equipped him with deep theoretical and practical insights into catalysis, chemical reaction engineering, and environmental chemistry.

💼 Experience

Currently serving as an Associate Researcher at CAS, Rui Shi has been instrumental in leading and collaborating on high-impact national and institutional projects. These include the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Key R&D Program, and initiatives under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Defense Science and Technology Innovation Special Zone. His leadership bridges advanced materials research and real-world sustainability applications.

🔬 Research Interest On Chemistry

Rui Shi’s core research interest lies in electrocatalytic reforming of waste plastics, particularly PET, into biodegradable materials like PGA ♻️. His approach integrates catalyst design, surface/interface engineering, and process optimization for enhanced stability, selectivity, and conversion efficiency. His recent work also encompasses the separation and purification of high-purity glycolic acid crystals, contributing to a closed-loop system for plastic waste reuse.

🏅 Awards

Rui Shi has been recognized with funding and leadership roles in major Chinese science programs, including:

  • General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China

  • Intellectual Property Special Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
    These accolades reflect his excellence in scientific innovation and project leadership at national levels 🏆.

📚 Publications

Rui Shi has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals, including:

  • Nature Communications (2023): Electrocatalytic PET-to-PGA Pathways — Cited by 100+ articles

  • Advanced Materials (2022): Biodegradable Plastics from Waste: A Catalyst Perspective — Cited by 85+

  • Chemical Science (2021): Catalyst Interface Engineering in Plastic Reforming — Cited by 60+

  • Science China Materials (2020): Separation of Glycolic Acid from Electrocatalysis — Cited by 50+

These works are widely cited and have significantly influenced the direction of research in sustainable catalysis and materials chemistry 🔍.

🔚 Conclusion

Dr. Rui Shi’s interdisciplinary expertise, from catalyst design to waste plastic upcycling, exemplifies innovation in green chemistry 🌍. His scientific leadership and publication record place him among the emerging leaders in sustainable material development. With over 30 high-impact publications and national recognition through competitive grants, Rui Shi continues to drive transformative change in environmental technology and chemical research.

Lei Tao | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Lei Tao | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | Tsinghua University | China

Lei Tao, is an accomplished chemist specializing in polymer science and engineering. Currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, his research focuses on multicomponent reactions and self-healing hydrogels. With over 200 publications and more than 16,000 citations, his work has gained international recognition.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Pioneering Research: Lei Tao has made remarkable contributions to polymer chemistry, focusing on multicomponent reactions, self-healing hydrogels, and bio-applications.
  • Publication Excellence: With over 200 SCI papers and more than 16,000 citations, his H-index of 68 highlights the substantial impact of his research.
  • Recognitions and Awards: Notable accolades include being a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in 2018 and 2019, and receiving the Outstanding Reviewer award for Polymer Chemistry in 2021.
  • Leadership Roles: Editorial roles at Molecules and Polymer Chemistry reflect his influence in the academic community.
  • Interdisciplinary Impact: His work bridges chemistry, biology, and materials science, with innovative applications in UV protection, heavy metal damage prevention, and bacterial resistance.

🎓 Education

Lei Tao earned his BS (1994-1999) and MS (1999-2002) degrees from the University of Science and Technology of China in Polymer Science and Engineering, under the supervision of Prof. Caiyuan Pan. He completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Warwick (2003-2006), mentored by Prof. David Haddleton.

💼 Experience

Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Tao undertook postdoctoral research at the University of California, Los Angeles (2006-2008) with Prof. Heather Maynard and at the University of New South Wales, Australia (2008-2010) with Prof. Thomas Davis. Since 2010, he has been an Associate Professor at Tsinghua University.

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry

Dr. Tao’s research focuses on:

  • Multicomponent reactions for new functional polymers.
  • Self-healing hydrogels for bio-applications.

📝 Awards

  • 2021: Outstanding Reviewer of Polymer Chemistry (Journal).
  • 2019: Outstanding Employee of Tsinghua University.
  • 2019: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-field); Top Peer Reviewer.
  • 2018: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (Cross-field).
  • 2018: First Prize, 8th Young Teachers Teaching Competition, Tsinghua University.

📖 Publications

  1. Synthesis and Performance of Epoxy-Terminated Hyperbranched Polymers Based on Epoxidized Soybean Oil

    • Year: 2025
    • Authors: Guang-Zhao Li, Qiuhong Wang, Chongyu Zhu, Shuai Zhang, Fumei Wang, Lei Tao, Youqi Jiang, Qiang Zhang, Wenyan Wang, Rui Han
    • DOI: 10.3390/molecules30030583

  2. Cold-resistant, highly stretchable ionic conductive hydrogels for intelligent motion recognition in winter sports

    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Tongda Lei, Jiajun Pan, Ning Wang, Zhaopeng Xia, Qingsong Zhang, Jie Fan, Lei Tao, Wan Shou, Yu Gao
    • DOI: 10.1039/D3MH02013D

  3. Hydrogels constructed by multicomponent reactions

  4. Highly transparent UV-shielding film via Hantzsch’s reaction to prevent artwork from UV bleaching

    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Siyu Pan, Xianzhe He, Chongyu Zhu, Zeyu Ma, Yingkai Liu, Yen Wei, Rui Yuan, Lei Tao
    • DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2024.102257

  5. Ferrocene-Based Antioxidant Self-Healing Hydrogel via the Biginelli Reaction for Wound Healing

    • Year: 2024
    • Authors: Rui Yuan, Zhao Fang, Fang Liu, Xianzhe He, Sa Du, Nan Zhang, Qiang Zeng, Yen Wei, Yuwei Wu, Lei Tao
    • DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00063

  6. Recent Developments in Functional Polymers via the Kabachnik–Fields Reaction: The State of the Art

  7. Polymeric Copper Chelator for Long-term Inhibition of Breast Cancer Proliferation and Lung Metastasis

  8. Superhydrophobic Coatings Composed of Multifunctional Polymers Synthesized Using Successive Modification of Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thione

  9. Poly(vinyl alcohol) Modified via the Hantzsch Reaction for Biosafe Antioxidant Self-Healing Hydrogel

  10. Coral-friendly and non-transdermal polymeric UV filter via the Biginelli reaction for in vivo UV protection

🌍 Conclusion:

Dr. Lei Tao is a leading figure in polymer chemistry, pioneering multicomponent reactions and self-healing hydrogels. His influential work continues to inspire advancements in materials science and bio-applications.

Ping Chen | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Ping Chen | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

China Institute of Atomic Energy | China

Dr. Ping Chen is an accomplished assistant researcher at the China Institute of Atomic Energy, specializing in nuclear chemistry and geochemistry. Her work focuses on the synthesis and analysis of high-purity uranium oxides, redox behavior of uranium on Beishan granite, and the migration and diffusion of technetium-99 in clay. With extensive experience in handling unsealed radioactive sources and advanced analytical techniques, she has contributed significantly to understanding radionuclide behavior in geological environments.

Professional profile👤

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

  • Outstanding Academic Background: Ping Chen’s education spans top institutions, from East China University of Technology to the University of Bern, covering radiation protection, nuclear chemistry, and earth chemistry.
  • Diverse Research Experience: Extensive research in nuclear chemistry and geochemistry, with a focus on uranium oxides, redox behavior, adsorption processes, and radionuclide migration, demonstrates a deep understanding of critical topics in environmental safety and nuclear waste management.
  • Impressive Publication Record: With six publications in high-impact journals such as Applied Geochemistry and Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Ping Chen has made significant contributions to understanding nuclear material behavior.
  • International Collaboration: Research conducted with global institutions, including collaborations with PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute), shows the ability to work across borders, enriching scientific perspectives.
  • Technical Proficiency: Mastery of techniques like SEM, XPS, XAS, ICP-OES, and PHREEQC modeling reflects a robust skillset for cutting-edge research.
  • Recognized Excellence: Multiple scholarships, including from the Chinese Scholarship Council, highlight consistent academic excellence.
  • Practical Experience: Hands-on experience with unsealed radioactive sources and work in controlled environments ensures practical expertise in handling sensitive materials.

🎓 Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Radiation Protection and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology (2010.09-2014.06)
  • Master’s Degree in Nuclear Science and Technology/Nuclear Chemistry, Sun-Yat University (2014.09-2017.06)
  • PhD in Earth Chemistry, University of Bern (2018.08-Present)

💼 Experience

  • Internship: Institute of Radiation Protection, China (2013.05-2013.06)
  • Lecturer: East China University of Technology (2023.12-2024.04)
  • Assistant Researcher: China Institute of Atomic Energy (2024.05-Present)

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry

  • Synthesis and analysis of high-purity uranium oxides
  • Redox behavior of uranium on Beishan granite
  • Adsorption of divalent iron on illite
  • Migration and diffusion of technetium-99 in clay

🏆 Awards

  • Scholarship awarded by the Chinese Scholarship Council (2018-2021)
  • First Prize Scholarship (2015, 2016, 2017)
  • National Encouragement Scholarship (2011)

🔖 Publications

  • Chen, P., Van Loon, L.R., Koch, S., Alt-Epping, P., Reich, T., & Churakov, S.V. (2024). “Reactive transport modeling of diffusive mobility and retention of TcO₄⁻ in Opalinus clay.” Applied Clay Science, 251, 107327.

    • Authors: Ping Chen, Luc R. Van Loon, Steffen Koch, Peter Alt-Epping, Tobias Reich, Sergey V. Churakov.
    • Publication Year: 2024

  • Shengchao Li, Duo Zhou, Mingfang Zhou, Hongyun Liu, & Ping Chen. (2025). “Research on electromigration of Sr²⁺ in mudstone: diffusion and modelling.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry.

    • Authors: Shengchao Li, Duo Zhou, Mingfang Zhou, Hongyun Liu, Ping Chen.
    • Publication Year: 2025

  • Chen, P., Churakov, S.V., Glaus, M., & Van Loon, L.R. (2023). “Impact of Fe(II) on ⁹⁹Tc diffusion behavior in illite.” Applied Geochemistry, 56, 105759.

    • Authors: Ping Chen, Sergey V. Churakov, Martin Glaus, Luc R. Van Loon.
    • Publication Year: 2023

  • Chen, P., Van Loon, L.R., Marques Fernandes, M., & Churakov, S.V. (2022). “Sorption mechanism of Fe(II) on illite: Sorption and modelling.” Applied Geochemistry, 143, 105389.

    • Authors: Ping Chen, Luc R. Van Loon, Maria Marques Fernandes, Sergey V. Churakov.
    • Publication Year: 2022

  • Chen, P., Ma, Y., Kang, M., Shang, C., Song, Y., Xu, F., Wang, J., Song, G., & Yang, Y. (2020). “The redox behavior of uranium on Beishan granite: Effect of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ content.” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 217, 106208.

    • Authors: Ping Chen, Yue Ma, Mingliang Kang, Chengming Shang, Yang Song, Fengqi Xu, Ju Wang, Gang Song, Yongqiang Yang.
    • Publication Year: 2020

  • Chen, P., Huang, D., Chen, C., Suzuki-Muresan, T., Kang, M., Wang, J., Song, G., & Wang, B. (2017). “Investigation of reaction conditions on synthesis of UO₂.₃₄ and UO₂ via hydrothermal route.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 313(1), 229-237.

    • Authors: Ping Chen, Dongyu Huang, Chenchen Chen, Tomo Suzuki-Muresan, Mingliang Kang, Jin Wang, Gang Song, Biao Wang.
    • Publication Year: 2017

Conclusion

Ping Chen’s dedication to nuclear chemistry and geochemistry has led to remarkable insights into radionuclide behavior in geological environments. Her research has contributed significantly to the understanding of uranium oxidation states, iron adsorption, and technetium-99 diffusion, paving the way for advancements in radioactive waste management and environmental safety.