EuCheMS Chemistry Congress plenary speakers: Jin-Quan Yu
Ahead of the 2018 EuCheMS Chemistry Congress, we find out what plenary speaker Jin-Quan Yu is looking forward to most.
Professor Jin-Quan Yu is based at the Scripps Research Institute in California. His research focuses on developing catalysts that could improve the environmental friendliness of chemical processes, as well as expedite the discovery of medicines. He was the winner of our 2016 Pedler Award.
What are you looking forward to most about speaking at EuCheMS 2018?
For the conference in general, I look forward to meeting with many great chemists and hearing their latest findings. Specifically about my lecture, I look forward to hearing questions and comments from such a diverse audience from different fields – hopefully I don’t have to answer all of them!
What's your favourite molecule and why?
Isobutyric acid. It contains a high level of hidden complexity, sophistication and synthetic utility, and yet minimum atoms. Its elegance can be unleashed by multiple C-H activation as demonstrated by nature in polyketide synthesis, and we are beginning to imitate nature’s approach in the flask.
Of all the places you've visited for conferences or work, where would you like to go back to for a holiday?
Kyoto, Barcelona and Cambridge.
What’s your favourite international cuisine and what's the most unusual thing you've eaten?
Favourite cuisines are Indian and Japanese and the most unusual is a cricket taco!
If you weren't a scientist, what would you be?
Hahaha, are you asking what I wish to be or realistically I might be? If I could choose, I want to a soccer player. Realistically, I would be a farmer, but not a good one.
Press office
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 20 7440 3351
- Email:
- Send us an email
7th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress, Liverpool 26–30 August 2018
Follow @EuCheMS_2018 on Twitter and @EuCheMS2018 on Facebook or updates.