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DR. HANWU LEI Biofuels, Bioproducts & Thermochemical Catalysis Lab

My Research Team

Congratulations to group members current academic / industry positions:

Dr. Xuesong Zhang, Professor at China Agricultural University
Dr. Yayun Zhang, Associate Professor at East China University of Science and Technology
Dr. Kezhen Qian, Assistant Professor at Tongji University
Dr. Dengle Duan, Associate Professor at Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering
Dr. Elmar Villota, Associate Professor at Central Luzon State University
Dr. Wendy Mateo, Associate Professor at Central Luzon State University
Dr. Zixu Yang, Assistant Professor at East China University of Science and Technology
Dr. Quan Bu, Professor at Jiangsu University
Dr. Erguang Huo , Assistant Professor at Suzhou University of Science and Technology
Dr. Xiao Kong, Assistant Professor at Shanghai University of Science and Technology
Dr. Iwona Cybulska, Professor at Université catholique de Louvain
Dr. Lu Wang, Associate Professor at Hefei University of Technology
Dr. Yi Wei, Associate Professor at Zhejiang University of Technology
Dr. Yunfeng Zhao, Associate Professor at Shihezi University
Dr. Qingfa Zhang , Postdoctoral Research Associate at Zhejiang University
Dr. Shoujie Ren, Co-Founder & CTO at E2H2NANO, LLC at Buffalo, New York
Dr. Lei Zhu, Director, Low Carbon Fuel Programs (CA-LCFS, OR-CFP) at EcoEngineers, Des Moines, Iowa
Dr. Ying Wang, Senior Research and Development Engineer at OCOchem Inc., Richland, WA
Ms. Gayatri Yadavalli, Lab Instructor, WSU TriCities, WA
Ms. Shiela Marie Villota, Science Research Specialist at Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization
Ms. Cindy Angelia, Biotechnology Specialist, SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO
Mr. Zhiyang Huang, Engineer at Shonan USA Inc., Grandview, WA
Mr. Yupeng Liu, Research Engineer at Dason Technology, Inc., Richland, WA


Research Associates

 

Marie Qian, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate from Jan. 2020-present). Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies and development of zeolite based catalysts in catalytic processes, Lignin separation, nanocellulose, and catalytic conversion of biomass and waste plastics for bio jet fuels and chemicals production.

 


Chenxi Wang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Post-Doctoral Research Associate from July 2019-present). Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies and development of carbon based catalysts in catalytic processes, bio-oil upgrading, and biomass and waste plastics utilization for renewable hydrocarbons, jet fuels and chemicals production.

 


Ying Wang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate from Oct. 2021-present. Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies and development of biomass biochar and carbon based materials, fertilizer development, catalysts in catalytic processes for jet fuels and chemicals production.

Visiting Professors and Scholars

 

Xiaona Lin, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology; Working on the catalytic co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics with bifunctional carbon-based catalysts

 

Current Students

Jouchin Chan, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU; PhD dissertation: Development of activated carbon and carbon catalysts for bio jet fuels production (in progress)

 

 


Wendy Mateo, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU; PhD dissertation: Cellulose based catalysis for high value chemicals and jet fuels (in progress)

 

 


Rongge Zou, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU; PhD dissertation: Development of nanocellulose and nanocarbon catalysts for high value chemicals and jet fuels (in progress)

 

 

 


Yunfeng Zhao, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU and Nanchang University; PhD dissertation: Nanocarbon and catalysis for high value chemicals and fuels (in progress)

 

 

 

 


Erguang Huo, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU and Chongqing University; PhD dissertation: Nanocarbon and catalysis for high value chemicals and fuels (in progress)

 

 

 

 


Qingfa Zhang, PhD Research Assistant, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU and Shandong University of Technology; PhD dissertation: Structural evolution mechanisms of biochar during pyrolysis and the utilization of biochar to prepare composites based on polymers (in progress)

 

Former Research Members


Research Associates


Xiao Kong, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate from Dec. 2019-Aug. 2020; now Assistant Professor at Shanghai University of Science and Technology). Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies and development of carbon based materials and catalysts in catalytic processes, bio-oil upgrading, and biocarbon and nanocarbon utilization for renewable hydrocarbons, jet fuels and chemicals production.

 


Yayun Zhang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate Oct. 2016-Oct. 2018; now Associate Professor at East China University of Science and Technology). Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies, modelling and computing development of biomass conversion pathways, kinetics, mechanism, and techno-economic analysis.

 


Zixu Yang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate from Oct. 2016-Dec. 2017; now Assistant Professor at East China University of Science and Technology). Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies and development of carbon based catalysts and zeolite based catalysts in catalytic processes, bio-oil upgrading, and biocarbon utilization for renewable hydrocarbons, jet fuels and chemicals production.

 

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Kezhen Qian, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate from Feb. 2017-Dec. 2017; now Assistant Professor at Tongji University). Postdoctoral projects: Fundamental studies and development of carbon based catalysts and zeolite based catalysts in catalytic processes, bio-oil upgrading for renewable hydrocarbons, jet fuels and chemicals production.
 

 


Lu Wang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Postdoctoral Research Associate from Sep. 2013-Dec. 2014; Now Associate Professor at Hefei University of Technology). Postdoctoral projects: Microwave catalytic pyrolysis, zeolite catalysis for renewable hydrocarbons and jet fuels from biomass.

 

 


Zhiyang Huang, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Associate from Nov. 2018-Dec. 2019; now Engineer at Shonan USA Inc.). Postgraduate projects: Catalytic pyrolysis, zeolite catalysis for renewable hydrocarbons and jet fuels from biomass and waste plastics.

 

 


Gayatri Yadavalli, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Associate from Jan 2015-Jun 2017); Post graduate projects: activated carbon, CO2 absorption, and protein separation.

 

 


Di Yan, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Associate from Jan 2015 – Dec. 2016); Post graduate projects: microwave pyrolysis, activated carbon.

 

 

 


Yupeng Liu, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU ( Research Associate from Jan. – Dec. 2015; Now Research Engineer at Dason Technology, Inc., Richland, USA). Post graduate projects: organosolv lignin separation and upgrading for bio-battery and jet fuels from biomass.

Visiting Professors and Scholars


Xiang Shen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, China University of Geoscience; Visiting Professor from Jan. 2014 – Jan. 2015.

PhD Graduates

Dr. Lei as Advisor/Major Professor


Marie Qian, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU; (Jan. 2016-Dec. 2019; now Post-Doc Research Associate at WSU); PhD dissertation: Lignin separation and catalytic conversion for bio jet fuels production (Graduated Fall 2019)

 

 


Elmar Villota, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU; (Jan. 2016-Dec. 2019; now Assistant Professor at Central Luzon State University); PhD dissertation: Development of carbon catalysts for high value chemicals and jet fuels (Graduated Fall 2019)

 

 


Dengle Duan, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU and Nanchang University (Aug. 2016-Aug. 2019; now Associate Professor at Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering); PhD dissertation: Lignin depolymerization and catalysis for high value chemicals and fuels (Graduated Spring 2019)

 

 

 

 


Lei Zhu, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU; (Research Assistant from Aug. 2012-Jan. 2017; now Product Development Engineer at Molecule Works, Inc. Richland, WA); PhD dissertation: Development of microwave pyrolysis biochar as carbon catalysts for high value chemicals and hydrocarbons (Graduated Fall 2016)

 

 


Xuesong Zhang , PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Jan. 2013-May 2016; now Professor at China Agricultural University); PhD dissertation: Renewable hydrocarbons for jet fuels from biomass and plastics via microwave-induced pyrolysis and hydrogenation processes (Graduated Spring 2016)
 

 


Yi Wei, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Aug. 2011-Aug. 2015; Now Associate Professor at Zhejiang University of Technology); PhD dissertation: Advanced upgrading of pyrolysis oil via liquid-liquid extraction and catalytically upgrading (Graduated Spring 2015)

 

 


Quan Bu, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Aug. 2010-Aug. 2013; Now Professor at Jiangsu University); PhD dissertation: Catalytic microwave pyrolysis of biomass for renewable phenols and fuels (Graduated Summer 2013).

 

 


Lu Wang, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Aug. 2010-Aug. 2013; Now Associate Professor at Hefei University of Technology); PhD dissertation: Aromatic hydrocarbons production from catalyst assisted microwave pyrolysis of Douglas fir sawdust pellet(Graduated Summer 2013).

 

 


Shoujie Ren, PhD, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Jan. 2010-Dec. 2012; Now post-doc Research Associate at University of Tennessee); PhD dissertation: Catalytic microwave torrefaction and pyrolysis of douglas fir pellet to improve biofuel quality (Graduated Fall 2012).

 

 


Iwona Cybulska, PhD, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, SDSU (Research Assistant from Jan. 2008-May. 2012; Now Assistant Professor at Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium); PhD dissertation:Pretreatment methods for lignocellulosic materials employed to produce fuel ethanol and value-added products (Graduated Spring 2012).

 

 


Rui Zhou, PhD, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, SDSU (Research Assistant from Jan. 2008-Dec. 2014); PhD dissertation: Microwave pyrolysis of biomass and kinetics (Graduated Spring 2015).

MS Graduates

Dr. Lei as Advisor/Major Professor


Shiela Marie Villota, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU and Central Luzon State University (now Science Research Specialist at Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization); MS thesis: Carbon activation of cacao (theobroma cacao l.) pod husks for aqueous and gaseous adsorption applications (Graduated Spring 2018)

 

 


Cindy Angelia, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Aug. 2015-Aug. 2017; MS thesis: Effect of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex insertion in cyanobacteria synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Graduated Summer 2017)

 

 

 


Yupeng Liu, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Aug. 2012-Dec. 2014; Now Research Engineer at Dason Technology, Inc., Richland, WA); MS thesis: Torrefaction of Douglas fir pellets and catalytic upgrading of torrefaction vapors (Graduated Spring 2015)

 

 


Gayatri Yadavalli, MS, Environmental Engineering, WSU (Aug. 2013-Dec. 2014; Now Research Associate at WSU); MS thesis: Activated carbon surface modification for carbon dioxide adsorption (Graduated Fall 2014)

 

 


Jing Liang, MS, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU (Research Assistant from Aug. 2012-Aug. 2013; Now PhD student at University of California, Riverside); MS thesis: Formate-assisted microwave pyrolysis of Douglas fir pellet (Graduated Summer 2013)