Yang Li

Teaching Strengths

Strong communicator
Academic Teaching and Learning Development
Academic development
Biomaterials (surface engineering & analysis)
Applied Microbiology and Biointerfaces

Dr Yang Li

ARC Grant-Funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.

I am an AEA Ignite Grant-funded researcher at the School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, with a Bachelor's degree and PhD in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering from the University of Queensland. My current research focuses on developing a novel ion exchange column using biomolecules, such as functional peptides and proteins, to enable a more efficient and sustainable approach to rare earth element separation.

I have an emerging tutoring and demonstrating profile in chemical engineering-related fields, including thermodynamics, unit operations, materials, and bioprocessing. This includes the production of biomolecules in batch systems and protein purification processes. I have also contributed to curriculum development in chemical engineering at both the University of Queensland and the University of Adelaide. I am strongly committed to student engagement and academic excellence.

Research Interests: 

  • Peptide and protein expression and purification
  • Interfacial science
  • Nanoemulsions
  • Functional and stimuli-responsive peptides and proteins
  • Rare earth elements separation
  • Chromotography i.e. HPLC, AKTA, beads conjugation and column packing

Language Competency
Chinese (Mandarin) Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2021 - 2025 University of Queensland Australia Phd
2017 - 2020 University of Queensland Australia Bachelor of Chemical and Biological Engineering (Honours)

Year Citation
2026 Li, Y., Hui, Y., Wang, J., Guo, Z., Ye, Z., Orchard, M., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2026). Minimal Peptide Surfactants for Long-Lasting Nanoemulsions via Noncovalent Interfacial Interactions.. ACS applied materials & interfaces.
DOI
2025 Yang, G., Liu, Y., Devkota, S. R., Hui, Y., Zhao, R., Li, Y., . . . Zhao, C. (2025). A Sustainable Biotechnology Approach for Mineral Separation. Advanced Functional Materials, 35(50), e04992-1-e04992-16.
DOI
2025 Guo, Z., Li, Y., Xu, L., Wang, J., Lyu, J., Yang, G., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2025). Design and optimization of bifunctional peptides for controlled core–shell nanocapsule formation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 686, 599-612.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1
2024 Wang, Y., Tian, L., Zheng, J., Tan, Y., Li, Y., Wei, L., . . . Zhu, L. (2024). Enhancing nitrogen removal in low C/N wastewater with recycled sludge-derived biochar: A sustainable solution. WATER RESEARCH, 267, 16 pages.
DOI WoS19
2024 Weng, Y., Li, Y., Chen, X., Song, H., & Zhao, C. X. (2024). Encapsulation of enzymes in food industry using spray drying: recent advances and process scale-ups. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(22), 1-18.
DOI Scopus25 WoS28 Europe PMC12
2024 Li, Y., Weng, Y., Hui, Y., Wang, J., Xu, L., Yang, Y., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2024). Design of stimuli-responsive minimalist heptad surfactants for stable emulsions. Communications Materials, 5(1), 229-1-229-11.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2024 Xu, X., Li, Y., Vo, P. H. N., Shukla, P., Ge, L., & Zhao, C. X. (2024). Electrochemical advanced oxidation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs): Development, challenges and perspectives. Chemical Engineering Journal, 500, 157222-1-157222-19.
DOI Scopus30 WoS28
2023 Li, Y., Yang, G., Gerstweiler, L., Thang, S. H. H., & Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Design of Stimuli-Responsive Peptides and Proteins. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 33(7), 2210387-1-2210387-31.
DOI Scopus59 WoS55
2023 Weng, Y., Wan, A., Li, Y., Liu, Y., Chen, X., Song, H., & Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Scalable manufacturing of enzyme loaded alginate particles with excellent thermal and storage stability for industrial applications. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 667, 10 pages.
DOI Scopus9 WoS9
2023 Weng, Y., Yang, G., Li, Y., Xu, L., Chen, X., Song, H., & Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Alginate-based materials for enzyme encapsulation. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 318, 102957-1-102957-15.
DOI Scopus96 WoS82 Europe PMC35
2023 Li, Y., Yang, G., Weng, Y., Xu, L., Hou, F., Devkota, S., & Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Exploring biosurfactants as a sustainable alternative to chemical surfactants. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 677(Part A), 132291-1-132291-11.
DOI Scopus20 WoS18
2023 Xu, L., Wang, X., Yang, G., Zhao, Z., Weng, Y., Li, Y., . . . Zhao, C. -X. (2023). Development of a concentration-controlled sequential nanoprecipitation for making lipid nanoparticles with high drug loading. Aggregate, 4(6), e369-1-e369-14.
DOI Scopus22 WoS23
2022 Wilson, R. J., Li, Y., Yang, G., & Zhao, C. X. (2022). Nanoemulsions for drug delivery. Particuology, 64, 85-97.
DOI Scopus315 WoS264

Year Citation
- Li, Y. (n.d.). Development of stimuli-responsive biomolecule-based surfactants.
  • AEA Ignite, Round 2, 2025 (IG250200527): Revolutionising Mineral Processing: Innovative and Sustainable Biotechnology Approach for Mineral Separation.

  • Demonstrator for the 3rd year chemical engineering course: Unit Operations Laboratory (CHEM ENG 3036). This role included guiding students to set up experiments including continuous distillation, gas absorption, catalytic reactors, continuous stir tank reactors, fluidised bed reactors, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.

  • Tutor for the 1st year chemical engineering course: Materials (CHEM ENG 1009). This role included guiding students and facilitating their understanding of unit conversions, material failure, diffusion, and material properties.

  • Tutor for the 1st year engineering student: Thermodynamics (ENGG1500) at the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT) for 5 semesters. This role included holding the tutorial sessions and practical classes, marking the tutorial sheets and running weekly additional help sessions in the First-Year Learning Centre (FYELC).

  • Tutor for three University courses including Heat and mass transfer (CHEE 3002), Process modelling & dynamics (CHEE 3007), and Professional engineering (ENGG 1100) at Union College of UQ.

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