Interview with Dr. Li Yan—Winner of the Separations 2024 Young Investigator Award
The Separations Young Investigator Award was established in 2024 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of separation science. The winner was chosen by the journal’s award committee.
Name: Dr. Li Yan
Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Interests: environmental interface chemistry; DFT calculations; synchrotron-based X-ray techniques; nanotechnology; water treatment; biogeochemistry
Let us hear her opinions and find out about her experiences with scientific research and awards.
1. What are your current research areas?
My current research focuses on environmental interfacial chemistry and water treatment. Specifically, I utilize advanced spectroscopic and theoretical methodologies, such as synchrotron-based X-ray techniques, in situ FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and MD simulations, to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms governing interfacial chemistry. These insights guide the molecular design and development of targeted materials for water treatment, particularly for the removal and transformation of heavy metals and organic pollutants.
2. How did you become interested in your current research field?
Water treatment has never been more critical due to the growing issue of environmental pollution. Understanding the principles and developing technologies for water treatment are central to my research interests. This work is of great significance as it can reduce pollutant exposure and alleviate serious illnesses. Moreover, access to clean water is vital for the sustainability of both industry and the environment. Achieving these goals requires advancements in water treatment principles and technologies, which provide tremendous opportunities for my current research. In other aspects, I think my interest in this field is profoundly influenced by my Ph.D. mentor, whose attitude, perspective, insights, and dedication to scientific research have deeply inspired me to pursue this area of study.
3. Could you please share some particularly interesting or unexpected results you have found during your research experience?
I remember when I was doing my Ph.D., I conducted a project to investigate the adsorption performance of different types of TiO₂ for arsenic removal. I found a significant difference in adsorption capacities, but surprisingly, the specific surface area did not determine the varying adsorption capacities. This was unexpected, as we typically assume that BET surface area is a key factor in adsorption. After a thorough investigation, I discovered that the exposed crystal facets of nanomaterials were responsible for the diverse adsorption behaviors, as their different surface atomic structures determine the chemical bonding with pollutants. Following this, I further explored this facet-dependent phenomenon across a wide range of materials, elucidated the underlying mechanisms, and developed crystal growth principles to guide the synthesis of facet-controllable nanoparticles for practical applications.
4. What do you think is your greatest scientific achievement so far?
I think one of my significant achievements was the innovation of a facet-engineering technique to address the long-standing challenge in the controllable synthesis of nanomaterials. This innovative approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the concentration-limited kinetically controlled growth mechanisms of crystal facets at the molecular level. In this work, I employed computational modeling of molecule diffusion and adsorption to minimize surface energy and selectively protect desired facets during synthesis, which guided the production of TiO₂ nanocrystals with tunable facet ratios. This research pioneered a deterministic approach to regulating crystal facets in nanomaterials, significantly advancing the understanding of the kinetic growth mechanisms of crystals.
Building on this, I further developed granulation and industrial-scale manufacturing techniques for facet-tailored nanomaterials. I also collaborated with industrial partner to scale up the production of granular TiO₂ and designed water treatment processes and equipment for pilot-scale applications. This work specifically focused on arsenic removal from geogenic groundwater in Shanxi, China, providing benefits to the local residents.
I think there are four topics that would be of particular interest:
First, decentralized water treatment systems. These systems are gaining popularity, especially in rural or off-grid areas where large-scale infrastructure is not feasible. Developing cost-effective, robust, and low-maintenance systems that can be easily deployed at the community or household level holds great promise. Second, wastewater reuse and resource recovery. As water scarcity becomes more pressing, wastewater reuse will play a critical role in closing the loop in water management. Additionally, resource recovery from wastewater—such as extracting valuable materials like phosphorus, nitrogen, metals, and energy (e.g., biogas production)—will be an essential area of research. Third, the integration of traditional water chemistry with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Data-driven approaches can help stay at the forefront and predict development trends, such as the development of new materials, providing insights into the innovation of water treatment principles and technologies. Fourth, the water-energy nexus, which requires the efficient integration of diverse water treatment technologies to tackle emerging pollutants and complex water matrices. This approach aims to save energy and costs while promoting sustainability.
6. What is the secret to a happy scientific life? Or, as a scientific researcher, how to balance life and research work?
The secret to a fulfilling scientific life often lies in a genuine passion for research. When you know you're working on something meaningful and truly enjoy what you do, it enriches your life and provides a sense of fulfillment. Research is often a marathon, not a sprint, and staying focused on topics that genuinely interest you helps maintain motivation during challenging times. When you're passionate about your work, long hours feel less like a chore and more like a meaningful pursuit. Balancing research with other aspects of life requires effective time management. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life ensures that neither dominates the other. Avoid overcommitting—prioritize tasks, stick to deadlines, and still leave room for rest and relaxation. Additionally, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Incorporate flexibility and fun into your routine. Research can be mentally taxing, so using relaxation or mindfulness techniques to recharge is essential. Also, don’t hesitate to take breaks, go on vacations, or explore new hobbies outside of research. Sometimes, a change in scenery or a new experience can help reset your mind, allowing you to return to your research with renewed energy.
7. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Yes, I believe the first crucial step is to choose a research topic that truly interests you and holds meaningful value. During the process, it’s important to set realistic goals and expectations, breaking down larger projects into manageable steps. Always keep the bigger picture in mind. In research, setbacks and failures are inevitable, and it’s essential to maintain perspective and not let individual frustrations undermine your sense of purpose. Additionally, cultivate a growth mindset. Research is full of challenges and setbacks, but each one can be seen as an opportunity to learn and improve. Also, embrace collaboration and curiosity—working with others can enrich your own research, and being open to new ideas will help you approach problems with a sense of wonder and innovation.
8. What qualities of researchers do you think are more conducive to their research progress?
I think there are several qualities that play a significant role in the progress and success of a researcher. Some of the most important qualities include passion and motivation, curiosity and a love for learning, persistence and resilience, critical thinking and expertise, creativity and innovation, self-confidence and independence, effective communication, organization and time management, and ethical integrity. These traits not only contribute to conducting high-quality research but also help in navigating the inevitable challenges that arise during the scientific process.
9. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?
I view open access as a crucial step toward making scientific knowledge more equitable, accessible, and impactful. It represents a positive development for both the scientific community and society at large, promoting the democratization of knowledge, facilitating faster dissemination of research, and opening new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. However, like any model, open access does come with its challenges. Issues such as the publication fees, quality control, and overwhelming volume of content remain significant concerns that need to be addressed. Overall, I see open access as a positive trend, but it requires ongoing refinement to ensure it is accessible to all researchers and supports the long-term sustainability of the academic publishing ecosystem.
10. Do you have any suggestions for Separations journal?
To elevate the journal’s impact, it could focus more on high-impact, interdisciplinary research that links separations technology with emerging fields such as sustainability, renewable energy, biotechnology, and advanced materials. The journal might also dedicate sections to cutting-edge technologies like membrane-based separations, new chromatographic techniques, or novel materials that enhance efficiency or reduce environmental impacts. Beyond traditional written content, incorporating multimedia elements such as interactive diagrams, videos of experimental setups or processes, and 3D models of complex systems could provide added value.
Other strategies to consider include prioritizing application-oriented papers, enhancing the peer review process, organizing special issues and thematic collections, strengthening the diversity of the editorial board, fostering global collaboration and outreach, incorporating review articles and perspectives, and introducing platforms for post-publication discussions.
For more information about the awards presented by Separations, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/separations/awards.
Separations Editorial Office