Yanhe Han | Environmental Chemistry | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Chemical Scientist

Prof. Yanhe Han | Environmental Chemistry | Editorial Board Member

Dean | Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology | China

Han Yanhe is a highly cited researcher known for influential contributions in environmental engineering, catalytic materials development, advanced oxidation processes, and innovative wastewater treatment technologies. With a substantial record of 68 peer-reviewed publications, over 1,602 citations, and an h-index of 20, Han has established a strong global research presence characterized by consistent scientific impact and extensive multidisciplinary engagement. His work spans the design of integrated nitrogen and sulfur removal systems, including synergistic approaches combining sulfate reduction, sulfur-autotrophic denitrification, and micro-electrolytic pathways to achieve efficient treatment of complex and sulfate-rich wastewaters. Han has advanced understanding of the mechanistic interplay between sulfur-based electron donors and iron–carbon micro-electrolysis, contributing engineering strategies that enhance pollutant degradation and support scalable, sustainable water-treatment solutions. In the field of catalysis, he has contributed to the development of high-performance materials such as CeO₂/GO-co-doped MoS₂ composites, improving electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and offering practical, cost-effective alternatives to noble-metal-based systems. His research portfolio further encompasses low-temperature plasma-driven oxidation for the mitigation of pharmaceutical and personal-care contaminants, environmental impact assessments of analytical detection methods, and intensified micro-electrolysis techniques tailored for highly toxic industrial waste streams. With collaborations spanning over 140 co-authors, Han has demonstrated a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research and scientific integration across chemistry, materials science, and environmental systems engineering. Many of his publications continue to accumulate significant citations, underscoring the relevance and applicability of his findings to both academic research and industrial practice. Through a combination of mechanistic insight, engineering innovation, and sustainability-focused design, Han Yanhe’s body of work contributes substantially to global efforts aimed at advancing clean-water technologies, enhancing catalytic efficiency, reducing environmental burdens, and supporting sustainable chemical engineering practices.

Profiles : Scopus

Featured Pulications

  1. Han, Y., Xu, H., Zhang, L., Ma, X., Man, Y., Su, Z., & Wang, J. (2023). An internal circulation iron–carbon micro-electrolysis reactor for aniline wastewater treatment: Parameter optimization, degradation pathways and mechanism. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 63(11), 96–107.

  2. Han, Y., Zhang, S., Zhang, X., Wu, C., & An, R. (2020). Optimization of the conditions for degradation of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide using electro-coagulation. Desalination and Water Treatment, 179, 148–159.

  3. Han, Y., Zhang, S., Xiaofei, Z., & Chen, J. (2020). Electrochemical oxidation of Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) at Ti/SnO₂-Sb₂O₃/β-PbO₂ anode: Degradation kinetics and mechanisms. International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 15(4), 3382–3399.

  4. Han, Y., Wang, H., Wei, M., … Ma, X. (2025). Advanced low-temperature plasma-driven oxidation for mitigating pharmaceutical and personal care products in wastewater: Mechanisms, influencing factors, and reactor configurations.

    Prof. Yanhe Han advances sustainable environmental engineering through innovative electrochemical and micro-electrolysis technologies for efficient pollutant removal. His work delivers practical solutions for industry while contributing to global efforts toward cleaner water systems and a healthier environment.

Patrycja Żak | Environmental Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Published on by Chemical Scientist

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Patrycja Żak | Environmental Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Associate Professor, UAM Poznań, Poland.

Dr. Patrycja Żak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Organometallic Chemistry at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland. She holds a distinguished academic and research career focused on green chemistry, organometallic synthesis, and functional nanomaterials. With over 47 peer-reviewed publications and 16 patents, her contributions span catalysis, silsesquioxane chemistry, and environmentally friendly synthetic methodologies. A highly respected scientist, she has led multiple national and European research projects and mentored doctoral candidates. Her scientific work emphasizes sustainable practices through the use of organocatalysis and mechanochemistry. Dr. Żak is a collaborative researcher, partnering with international and national institutions to expand the frontiers of materials and inorganic chemistry. Her dedication has earned her a place in prestigious scientific networks and journals as a reviewer and contributing author. Through her innovative and impactful work, Dr. Żak exemplifies excellence in chemical research and its practical application.

Professional Profile 

Dr. Patrycja Żak completed her entire academic education at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland, where she laid the foundation for her scientific journey. She earned her Master of Science degree in Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Marciniec. Continuing under the same mentor, she pursued and successfully defended her Ph.D. in Chemistry , focusing on advanced organometallic systems. Demonstrating a consistent trajectory of academic growth, she achieved her habilitation at the same institution, a significant milestone in European academia reflecting her independent research capabilities and teaching qualifications. Her educational path reflects a deep commitment to chemical sciences, and her studies were grounded in synthetic and structural chemistry, particularly relating to silicon-based compounds and catalysts. This solid academic base has underpinned her research excellence, enabling her to contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary fields, particularly in developing green and sustainable chemical methods.

Experience 

Dr. Żak has accumulated over 15 years of academic and research experience at Adam Mickiewicz University. She began her professional career as an adjunct faculty member and was promoted to Associate Professor. Her work has been briefly paused due to maternity leaves and a short health-related hiatus, but she returned to academia with renewed vigor. During her tenure, she has taken on roles beyond teaching and research, including supervising doctoral projects and serving on selection commissions for post-doc and master’s program candidates. She has actively contributed to collaborative research with international scientists and led industry-related projects, such as the development of efficient synthesis methods at AdvaChemLab. Her extensive project portfolio includes national grants like OPUS, SONATA, and MAESTRO, where she served as both investigator and principal investigator. These experiences have shaped her as a leader in her field, merging academic excellence with research innovation and mentorship.

Professional Development

Throughout her career, Dr. Żak has consistently engaged in professional development activities to enhance her academic and research contributions. She is a member of the Polish Chemical Society and has served as a reviewer for prestigious journals such as ChemSusChem, Inorganic Chemistry, and ChemCatChem. She also acted as a tutor in Environmental and Material Chemistry and served on several selection commissions for post-doc and master’s program candidates. Dr. Żak participated as an organizing committee member for the 8th European Silicon Days Conference. Internationally, she broadened her expertise through a six-month research exchange under the Socrates-Erasmus Program in Belgium. She continually refines her skills through leading-edge research projects and supervising doctoral candidates. These roles reflect her commitment to staying at the forefront of chemical science, emphasizing collaborative growth, academic integrity, and leadership in research dissemination, all of which have significantly contributed to her development as an esteemed scientist in organometallic and green chemistry.

Skills & Expertise

Dr. Patrycja Żak possesses an extensive skill set that bridges experimental chemistry, project leadership, and academic mentorship. She is highly proficient in organometallic synthesis, catalysis (particularly organocatalysis), and mechanochemical methods, enabling the development of green and efficient chemical transformations. Her expertise includes the design and functionalization of silicon-based nanomaterials such as silsesquioxanes. She has demonstrated strong abilities in analytical characterization techniques, photophysical studies, and collaborative interdisciplinary research. She effectively manages national and European research grants, showcasing organizational and leadership capabilities. In academia, she is skilled in curriculum development, supervising postgraduate students, and contributing to peer review and academic publishing. Furthermore, her role in organizing international conferences and reviewing for high-impact journals highlights her communication and evaluative skills. Her ability to innovate while adhering to sustainability principles marks her as a skilled and future-ready researcher in both academic and applied chemical sciences.

Resarch Focus

Dr. Patrycja Żak’s primary research focus lies at the intersection of Green Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, and Material Chemistry. Her work emphasizes the design of environmentally friendly and sustainable synthetic methods using organocatalysis and mechanochemistry. She is particularly focused on eliminating hazardous solvents and toxic metal-based catalysts by developing N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed transformations. Her research also targets the synthesis and functionalization of silsesquioxanes and nanomaterials with well-defined thermal and photochemical properties. Additionally, she explores thioester and heterocycle synthesis from unsaturated aldehydes and other functionalized compounds, contributing to the growing demand for sustainable, efficient chemical pathways. The research she leads aligns with cutting-edge themes in chemical sustainability, structure-property relationships in hybrid materials, and catalyst design for selective transformations. Her projects consistently follow the principles of atom economy and eco-compatibility, placing her work firmly within the green and sustainable chemistry category, with wide applications in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and nanotechnology.

Awards & Recognitions

Dr. Żak’s scientific excellence is reflected in her numerous achievements and recognitions. She has published 47 papers in Scopus-indexed journals, with an additional paper accepted and one under minor revision, showcasing consistent high-quality output. Her work has received over 662 citations in Scopus and 527 in Web of Science, with an h-index of 14, signifying both productivity and scholarly impact. She has authored chapters in scientific books and contributed to academic handbooks, such as the “Laboratory Experiments in Basic Inorganic Chemistry.” Moreover, her innovation has led to 16 patents across multiple jurisdictions including the US, EU, China, and Poland. She has also served as project manager and principal investigator for prestigious national projects including SONATA, POMOST, and OPUS. In addition, she plays a pivotal role in guiding doctoral candidates under Poland’s “Initiative of Excellence” programs. These distinctions underline her commitment to impactful, innovative, and globally relevant chemical research.

Publication Top Notes 

Conclusion:

Overall, Dr. Patrycja Żak is an exceptionally strong candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Her impressive academic productivity, innovation in sustainable chemistry, mentorship record, and project leadership clearly match the criteria for recognizing excellence among women in science. Minor enhancements, such as expanding industrial collaborations and increasing policy outreach, could further amplify her profile in the future. Nonetheless, she fully deserves acknowledgment as a role model inspiring future generations of women scientists working toward a greener and more sustainable world.