In our latest Elements of Success profile, we get to know Yahan Zhang, and to learn about her CHM395 thesis work with the Ozin Group, how her pursuit of chemistry was ignited by a documentary about Dmitri Mendeleev, and the world-changing legacy of blue LEDs.
Bio: Hi everyone! My name is Yahan Zhang (she/her), and I’m an international student from Beijing, China. I’m currently in my third year of the Chemistry Specialist program at the St. George campus. Since last semester, I have joined Professor Ozin’s group for my CHM395 thesis, focusing on improving the efficiency of photocatalyzed ethane dehydrogenation. Outside of the lab, I enjoy journaling, listening to music, and exploring different parts of the city.
This semester has been fruitful, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experience!
You are working on high-entropy perovskites for photocatalyzed ethane dehydrogenation with Dr. Rui Song and the Ozin Group. What can you share about your project, and how did that come together?
I finished my CHM395 thesis in Professor Geoffrey Ozin’s research group. I reached out to Professor Ozin after taking his CHM237 course, where I became curious about inorganic chemistry and catalyst design. Co-supervised by Dr. Rui Song, a research associate in the group, I worked on high-entropy perovskites for photocatalyzed ethane dehydrogenation.
Selective activation of the C-H bond is one of the “holy grails” in catalysis, and it is the rate-determining step in converting ethane to value-added ethylene. The catalyst system we study, perovskites, is known for its versatility and tunability. In this project, I explored how compositional engineering influences a material’s catalytic behavior.
This is my first independent research experience, and it gives me a glimpse into how an initial idea can develop into a research project and eventually a paper, while helping me develop a genuine interest in inorganic chemistry.
How did you first become interested in studying chemistry?
I first became interested in chemistry in high school, when I watched the documentary Chemistry: A Volatile History and learned about the discovery of the periodic table by Dmitri Mendeleev.
Around the same time, my chemistry teacher emphasized that microscopic structure determines macroscopic properties, a fundamental principle that has stayed with me. I was struck by how the fundamental building blocks of the universe could be organized so elegantly into periods and groups and fascinated by how observations from everyday life or the lab can be explained by structures at a scale we cannot see.
More broadly, I find it rewarding that science represents the collective effort of generations to understand the world, and chemistry, as the central science, offers a powerful framework for making sense of it.
Can you remember a time when a fact about chemistry blew your mind?
The impact of blue LEDs made me realize how profoundly chemistry can change the world. For decades, red and green LEDs existed, but blue light was difficult to achieve because it required wide band gap semiconductors. It was only realized through advances in materials chemistry. This breakthrough made white LED lighting and full color displays possible, including the screen on which you are reading this line. It has also significantly reduced energy use for lighting, which accounts for 20-30% of global electricity consumption. This example showed me the tremendous potential of chemistry to shape technologies and improve everyday life.
What advice would you give new U of T undergraduates considering a chemistry specialty?
I would encourage everyone to be proactive and make good use of departmental resources. The UofT Department of Chemistry offers access to world-class researchers across many subfields, and I highly recommend working in a lab. This not only builds research experience for graduate school but also reinforces what you learn in class. After all, practice is the sole criterion of truth.
At the same time, try not to overthink before reaching out. We often imagine others are judging us more closely than they actually are. For me, it feels less stressful to focus on the process rather than only the outcome. Results are not entirely within your control, but the effort you invest in preparing for exams, applying for opportunities, and going through interviews is always valuable.
Finally, I recommend taking CHM355 and CHM456 together. They are a great combination for a holistic introduction to polymers.
You're one of a number of students who recently presented posters at SOUSCC... and you won a prize, isn't that right?
I presented a poster on my CHM395 project at the Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference this March. The work focused on photocatalytic ethane dehydrogenation, and I was honored to receive the CIC Materials Chemistry Division Best Poster award.
How the experience of being in Toronto at this university affected you, as a scholar and a person?
I grew up in a district in Beijing known for its high concentration of universities and research institutions. Being in that environment, I developed a strong interest in learning and aspired to a career in scientific research. Since coming to UofT in 2023, I have grown in many ways. One concrete example is scientific writing. Early on, I found lab reports overwhelming and unfamiliar, but over time, through repeated practice, I became more confident in approaching complex tasks. This experience has also helped me step outside my comfort zone in areas such as presentations, research, and connecting with others. As a non-native English speaker, I initially lacked confidence in my communication. The supportive community in the department, including the faculty, TAs, research group members, and fellow students, has played an important role in helping me improve and feel more comfortable expressing my ideas.
For years, I compared my path to others and questioned whether I was doing enough, but more recently, I have learned to focus on my own progress and to be patient with myself. As long as I keep moving forward, there is nothing that cannot begin with “it’s okay.”
For me, it feels less stressful to focus on the process rather than only the outcome. Results are not entirely within your control, but the effort you invest in preparing for exams, applying for opportunities, and going through interviews is always valuable. -Yahan Zhang