Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
University of Toronto

Ya-Huei (Cathy) Chin received her B.S. and M.S. degrees (2000) in chemical engineering from University of Oklahoma. While an undergraduate at University of Oklahoma, she was awarded an Undergraduate Research Grant from the Honor’s Office of the University of Oklahoma. She worked with Professor Edgar A. O’Rear III on investigating the seasonal variation and circadian rhythm in the onset of acute myocardial infarction. For her master thesis, she was advised by Professor Daniel E. Resasco in which she investigated the synergistic effects of metal and acid sites for the selective reduction of NOx using light hydrocarbons.

Cathy joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), one of the ten United States National Research Laboratories in 2000, operated by Battelle Memorial Institute for the Department of Energy (US), as a research engineer and then as senior research scientist. She led the catalyst development task in an intensive effort of commercializing microreactor technology for conversion of natural gas to liquid fuel. She also involved in developing materials and catalytic conversion technology for NOx exhaust emission control, on-anode reforming in solid oxide fuel cell, and H2 production.

Cathy pursued a doctorate degree at the University of California, Berkeley from 2005-2010 under the tutelage of Professor Enrique Iglesia. Her thesis work focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms for natural gas conversion on supported Group VIII nanosized metal clusters. Specifically, she applied isotopic and kinetic methods to interrogate the kinetic responses and dynamics of the surfaces during chemical reactions. In a close collaboration with Professor Matthew Neurock at University of Virginia, she applied density functional theoretical methods to probe the structures and energies of molecules along the reaction coordinate.

Besides teaching and carrying out catalytic research, Cathy plays classical piano, rock climb, hike, and dance.