Yan Lab

Research in Advanced Biomaterials and Biochemicals

Congratulations to Dr. Cheng Hao on Winning Best Paper Award!

Posted on November 7, 2025 by ningyanlab

We are thrilled to share that our very own post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Cheng Hao, has received the Best Paper Award at the 2025 Polyurethanes Technical Conference (PolyCon 2025).

Cheng’s presentation, “Lignin-Derived Flame Retardant for Enhancing Fire Safety of Polyurethanes,” was recognized for its innovation and industrial relevance among professionals from across the globe. Congratulations, Cheng!

To read the official announcement and learn more, visit Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry’s website.

Congratulations and Farewell to Dr. Nicole Tratnik!

Posted on November 7, 2025 by ningyanlab

We’re raising a coffee cup (and a slice of cake) to Nicole!

After an amazing nine years in our lab at U of T, Nicole is moving on. It’s hard to imagine the lab without her, but we’re thrilled to see her take this next step.

Nicole joined us back in 2016 and has been a key part of the team ever since, completing her Master’s, PhD, and a Post-doc all with our group. We’ve been so lucky to have her as a colleague.

The industry is lucky to get her. We wish her the best of luck!

Congratulations to Gaojian Guo for passing his qualifying exam

Posted on October 14, 2025 by ningyanlab

Last week, a member of Prof. Ning Yan’s Lab, Gaojian Guo, successfully passed his qualifying exam signifying she is able to continue with his PhD studies. In the next few years he will continue his work on studies in the high-value utilization of lignin and its functional applications.

Congrats Gaojian!!

Congratulations to Lavia Li for passing her qualifying exam

Posted on October 14, 2025 by ningyanlab

Last week, a member of Prof. Ning Yan’s Lab, Lavia Li, successfully passed her qualifying exam signifying she is able to continue with her PhD studies. In the next few years she will continue her work on the studies on engineering strategies of graphite in next generation battery.

Congrats Lavia!

Congratulations to our newest PhD Graduate – Mohammad Mahaninia!!

Posted on June 11, 2025 by ningyanlab

On June 10th 2025, Mohammad successfully defended his PhD thesis, “Development of Environmental-friendly Chitosan-based Multifunctional Covalent Adaptable Network (CAN) Polymer Materials”. Congrats Moe! Great work.

Front Cover Art Published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

Posted on November 25, 2024 by ningyanlab

The front cover art for the manuscript: “Catalyst-Free Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Dual Dynamic Covalent Networks with Self-Healing and Flame-Retardant Properties” by Mohammad Mahaninia and Ning Yan has been published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.

You can read the article for this feature here

CPI Travel Honoraria Awarded for Research Presentation at the 2024 Polyurethanes Conference

Posted on October 7, 2024 by ningyanlab

Ph.D Candidate, Kabirat Bello, was awarded the CPI Travel Honoraria to present
her research at the 2024 Polyurethanes Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Her
presentation was titled, “Exploring Lignin-Containing Nanocellulose Fibrils
(LCNFs) for Enhancing Mechanical and Thermal Insulation Performance of Rigid
Polyurethane Foams”.
Congrats Kabirat!

Congratulations to Erika Fu for passing her qualifying exam

Posted on September 23, 2024 by ningyanlab

Today, a member of Prof. Ning Yan’s Lab, Erika Fu, successfully passed her qualifying exam signifying she is able to continue with her PhD studies. In the next few years she will continue her work on the development of next-generation electronic devices with renewable materials.

Congrats Erika!!

Congratulations to our newest PhD Graduate – Nicole Tratnik!

Posted on December 16, 2023 by ningyanlab

On Dec 14, 2023, Nicole successfully defended her PhD thesis, “Developing Starch-Based Epoxy and Covalent Adaptable Network Materials”. Congrats Nicole! Great work.

Congratulations to Troy for Passing his Master’s Defense!

Posted on July 13, 2023 by ningyanlab

Last week, a member of Prof. Ning Yan’s lab, Troy Su, successfully defended his Master’s thesis “Investigation of Material-Process-Structure-Property Relationships for Lignocellulosic Nanofibril Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites”.

Congratulations to Troy, your hard work really shows!