PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Yu Zheng (郑玉）
Assistant Professor, Peking University, 2026 -
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering (CCME)
Postdoc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2022 - 2025
Ph.D. Chemistry, Stanford University, 2017 - 2022
B.S. Chemistry, Nankai University, 2013 - 2017
Bio: Yu was born and raised in Benxi, Liaoning. She earned her bachelor at Nankai University, where she developed a strong interest in polymer science. She then moved to California, United States, for graduate studies under the supervision of Prof. Zhenan Bao. Her dissertation focused on designing polymer semiconductors and field-effect transistors for skin-inspired stretchable electronics. Her postdoctoral research transitioned into fundamental polymer physics. Working with Prof. Bradley Olsen at MIT, she explored how to apply custom-built characterization platforms to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying polymer network mechanics. These trainings in both applied and fundamental research have collectively shaped her perspectives. She is excited to launch her independent career at PKU, where she aims to unlock the full potential of polymer networks to construct next-generation bioelectronic materials and devices.
Awards and honors:
Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate Analytics (2024)
AIChE Women in Chemical Engineering Travel Award (2024)
IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists (2023)
MIT Rising Star in Chemical Engineering (2022)
Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2022)
ACS POLY Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research (2022)