About Me
Pin Lyu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of North Carolina, Asheville
Zeis Hall 106, CPO #2010
One University Heights,
Asheville, NC, United States 28804
Office: +1 (828) 232-5171
Email: plyu@unca.edu
I received my Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of California Merced, advised by Prof. Son C. Nguyen. Motivated by the fascinating process of natural photosynthesis, my independent lab is focusing on expanding fundamental physical/chemical knowledge involved in how solar energy converts into chemical energy. During my free time, I'd like to read classic novels (Existentialism and Nihilism) and write super-realism poems (mainly in Chinese). Also, volunteering service is my passion to help build a better world.
Research interests:
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Synthesis of various metallic (or alloy) nanoparticles with uniform size and shape.
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Exploring novel photocatalytic mechanisms by metallic nanoparticles, especially interband transitions.
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Developing a better fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms at the interface.
Education
2019-2023
2019-2021
Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry
Advisor: Prof. Son. C. Nguyen
University of California Merced
Merced, CA, USA
2016-2019
M.S. in Physical Chemistry
Advisor: Prof. Hexing Li & Prof. Jian Zhu
Shanghai Normal Univeristy
Shanghai, CHINA
2011-2015
M.S. in Physical Chemistry
Advisor: Prof. Son. C. Nguyen
University of California Merced
Merced, CA, USA
Personal Development
University of California Merced
Merced, CA, USA
2014-2015
Internship officer
Youth League Committee of
Shanghai Normal University
Shanghai Normal University, CHINA
Postgraduates Voluntary Teaching Corps of SHNU
in Yumen, Gansu Province, CHINA
Central Committee of Communist Youth League
2013-2014
President
Haitang Poetry Society
Shanghai Normal University, CHINA
Honors & Conferences
05/2023 Dissertation Award Chemistry and Biochemistry Department,
University of California, Merced, United States
03/2023 Spring 2023 CBC Travel Award, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department,
University of California, Merced, United States
03/2023 Oral Presentation, ACS Meeting Spring 2023, Crossroads of Chemistry, Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry, Frontiers and Challenges in Nanoparticle-Mediated Chemical Transformations
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
07/2022 Poster Presentation, Gordon Research Conference on Plasmonics and Nanophotonics,
Nanoscale Light-Matter Interactions for Sustainability, Newry, ME, United States
07/2022 ORED Core Facilities Seed Grant, Office of Research and Economic Development,
University of California, Merced, United States
03/2022 Flash Talk, 7th UC Chemical Symposium, University of California System, 2022
04/2021 Oral Presentation, Division for Catalysis Science and Technology, ACS Spring 2021, American Chemical Society
03/2021 Poster Presentation, 6th UC Chemical Symposium 2021
08/2021 2021 Summer Research Fellowship, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, University of California Merced
05/2019 Invited Presentation, 2019 International Symposium on Resource Chemistry, Chinese Chemical Society, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai CHINA
02/2019, 01/2018 First Prize in Graduate Scholars, International Joint Laboratory on Resource Chemistry SHNU-NUS-PU, Shanghai, CHINA
08/2018, 08/2017 First Prize in Technology Star, International Joint Laboratory on Resource Chemistry SHNU-NUS-PU, Shanghai, CHINA
12/2017 Outstanding Student, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai CHINA
10/2017 Poster Presentation, The 9th National Conference on Environmental Chemistry, Chinese Chemical Society, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R. China
05/2017 Oral Presentation with Excellent Research Award, 2017 China-Japan Bilateral Photocatalysis Symposium, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, P.R. China
10/2016 Attendant, Photocatalysis Young Scholars Forum, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, CHINA
05/2014 Second Prize in Entrepreneurship Competition for college students, League Committee of Communist Youth of Shanghai Normal University