Introducing Zhifei Yan: New CBC Faculty

Zhifei Yan started his academic journey in Wuhan, China. He received his B.E. and M.S. degrees in Material Chemistry and Engineering from the China University of Geosciences in 2013 and 2015, respectively, where he investigated the dynamics of organic molecules in layered silicates using calorimetry and molecular dynamics simulations. 

Zhifei earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2021 under the supervision of Dr. Thomas E. Mallouk. His doctoral research focused on managing ion transport in photoelectrochemical systems. He discovered effective catalyst materials for the water dissociation reaction in bipolar membranes (BPMs), addressing the asymmetric pH requirements of water electrolyzers and fuel cells. 

In June 2021, Zhifei joined Professor Daniel G. Nocera’s laboratory at Harvard University as a postdoctoral fellow. Using transient infrared spectroscopy, he studied the proton-coupled electron transfer pathways and kinetics of carbonate oxidation, which is a long-standing challenge in rechargeable metal-air batteries and CO₂ electrolyzers. 

In August 2025, Zhifei started his independent research group at the University of Arizona. His group focuses on addressing material challenges in large-scale electrification technologies, including renewable energy storage, sustainable chemical production, and critical element separations. Their work focuses on the fundamental understanding of ion-coupled electron transfer kinetics at interfaces and within confined environments. The group operates at the intersection of materials science, physical and analytical chemistry, and electrochemical engineering.