Physical Chemistry Seminar: Professor Xin Yan, Texas A&M University

About the Seminar 

Reactive Microdroplet Mass Spectrometry for In-Depth Lipidomics and Accelerated Discovery of Transition Metal Catalysis

My group has developed electrochemical microdroplet chemistry using an interfacial microreactor, enabling expedited chemical reactivity at the air/liquid interface. By integrating it into the ion source of the mass spectrometer, we address critical deficiencies in the field of structural lipidomics and advance transition metal catalysis discovery. This talk will discuss our progress toward microdroplet electrochemical strategies which include (i) a voltage-controlled interfacial microreactor that allows acceleration of electrochemical reactions for the first time; (ii) novel interfacial electrochemical reactions that address various long-standing isomeric problems in lipidomics; (iii) novel mass spectrometry screening platform that uses picomole-scale anodic corrosion of transition metal electrodes (e.g., Pd) to enable the rapid discovery of transition metal catalysis.

About the Speaker 

Dr. Xin Yan earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Purdue University with Prof. Graham Cooks and performed postdoctoral research with Prof. Richard Zare at Stanford University. She joined Texas A&M University as an Assistant Professor in 2018. Her research group focuses on reactive microdroplet mass spectrometry and applies it to address the deficiencies in lipidomics and expedite transition metal catalysis discovery. Her research program has been recognized by an NSF CAREER award, an NIH MIRA, an American Society for Mass Spectrometry Research Award, and an IUPAC Emerging Innovator Award. She also received the Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar Award and the Association of Former Students College-Level Distinguished Teaching Award.

Host: Dick Zare