Principal Investigator: Dr. Yining Huang
Dr. Yining Huang was born in Beijing, China. He obtained his B.Sc and M.Sc from Peking University and earned his Ph.D. from McGill University (with Ian S. Butler). After a NSERC post-doctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia (with Colin A. Fyfe), he started his independent academic career at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, as an Assistant Professor. He is currently a Professor of Chemistry at The University of Western Ontario. His current research interest focuses on porous materials.
Awards and Honors:
Visiting Professor, University of Science and Technology, Beijing, China (2021-2024)
Guest Professorship, Peking University, Beijing, China
Canada Research Chair (2002-2012)
“CUI-YING Lecture Professor”, Lanzhou University, China
University Students' Council Teaching Honour Roll (2007)
Florence Bucke Award, Faculty of Science, Western (2005)
Ontario Distinguished Research Award (2003)
Canadian National Congress-International Union Pure and Applied Chemistry Award (2002)
Premier's Research Excellence Award (2001-2006)
Alumni Research Award, Laurentian University (1996)
Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Germany (declined, 1995)
D.W. Ambridge Prize, McGill University (1993)
C. Winkler Award, McGill University (1993)
NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (1993)
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Fonds FCAR, Province of Quebec (declined, 1992)
Alexander McFee Fellowship, McGill University (1990)
Max Bell Open Fellowship, McGill University (1989)
Sandamini Alahakoon - Ph.D. Candidate (start: Sep. 2018)
Degrees completed:
M.Sc. Chemistry: Mississippi State University, Starkville, USA (2014-2016)
B.Sc. Honours Chemistry: University of Kelaniya, Dalugama, Sri Lanka (2008-2012).
Summary of research:
Studying the crystallization of microporous materials under the dry gel conversion conditions via
solid
state NMR and powder X-ray diffraction.
When I'm not doing chemistry...
I enjoy travelling, photographing, reading books and listening to music. I play keyboard
too.
Contact:
sulpanhe "at" uwo.ca
Shuting Li - M.Sc. to Ph.D. candidate (start: Jan. 2023)
Degrees completed:
B.Sc. specialization in Chemistry and Psychology: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
(2019-2022).
Summary of research: Studying the ruthenium incorporation to MOF as heterogeneous catalyst
for
hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to formic acid.
When I'm not doing chemistry... I enjoy watching movies and listening to music.
Contact: sli2765 "at" uwo.ca
Qinghao Shao - Ph.D. Candidate (start: Sep. 2024)
Degrees completed:
M.Sc. Chemistry: University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada (2021-2023).
B.Sc. Chemistry: (2+2 Program) Shandong Normal University, Shandong, China (2019-2021).
Univeristy of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada. (2021-2023)
Summary of research:
High-Pressure Study of MOF Structural and Gas Adsorption Properties.
When I'm not doing chemistry...
I enjoy travelling and listening to music.
Contact:
qshao32 "at" uwo.ca
Yingjie Li - Ph.D. candidate (start: Sep. 2025)
Degrees completed:
B.Sc. Chemistry: (2+2 Program) Shandong Normal University, Shandong, China (2021-2023).
Univeristy of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada (2023-2025).
Summary of research:
Studying Gas Absorption and Solid-State NMR Reponses of Metal-Dependent Anion-pillared MOFs.
When I'm not doing chemistry...
I enjoy exploring car culture and collecting model cars.
Contact: yli5783 "at" uwo.ca
Ehsan Moradi - Ph.D. candidate (start: Sep. 2025)
Degrees completed:
M.Sc. Inorganic Chemistry: Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran (2016-2019)
B.Sc. Applied Chemistry: Tehran University, Tehran, Iran (2010-2015)
.
Summary of research: Studying Behavior of Defect MOFs via Using SSNMR Spectroscopy.
When I'm not doing chemistry... I enjoying playing and watching football, listening to music and watching movies.
Contact: emoradi2 "at" uwo.ca
Zahra Mohamad Sharif - Ph.D. candidate (start: Jan. 2025)
Degrees completed:
M.Sc. Chemistry: Western University, London, Canada.
B.Sc. Chemistry: Western University, London, Canada.
Summary of research:
Investigating Structure and Sodium Transport in Sodium Solid-State Batteries Using Solid-State NMR.
When I'm not doing chemistry...
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and playing squash.
Contact: zmohama "at" uwo.ca
Marius Wesseler - Ph.D. candidate (start: Sep. 2026)
Degrees completed:
M.Sc. in Chemistry: University of Düsseldorf, Germany (2021–2026).
B.Sc. in Chemistry: University of Düsseldorf, Germany (2017–2020).
.
Summary of research: Investigating defects and crystallization behavior of MOFs via solid-state NMR and other methods.
When I'm not doing chemistry... I enjoy playing and keeping up with ice hockey, travelling, and watching movies.
Contact: mwessel4 "at" uwo.ca
Kyleigh Madison Hilton - M.Sc. candidate (start: Sep. 2026)
Degrees completed:
B.Sc. Honours Specialization in Integrated Science with Chemistry: Western University, London, Canada (2022-2026)
Summary of research:
Development of plasma-assisted alkali metal imides for reversible hydrogen storage.
When I'm not doing chemistry...
I enjoy painting and drinking iced capps!
Contact: khilton5 "at" uwo.ca
Kate Roberge - Undergrad. candidate (start: Sep. 2026)
Degrees completed:
B.Sc. 4th year Honours Specialization in Chemistry & BMus General Honours degree: Western University, London, Canada.
Summary of research: Tuning Carbon Dioxide capture through defect engineering in MOFs.
When I'm not doing chemistry... I enjoy doing puzzles and playing my instruments (the violin and the trombone)
Contact: : kroberge "at" uwo.ca