Zhongyi Zeng | Synthetic Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Zhongyi Zeng –  Synthetic Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Professor Zeng’s interdisciplinary approach, integrating organic chemistry, catalysis, green chemistry, and electrosynthesis, aligns seamlessly with the objectives of both the Best Researcher Award and the Excellence in Innovation Award. His ability to translate fundamental discoveries into practical synthetic tools is emblematic of high-impact research excellence.

Guangzhou Medical University | China

Profile

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scholar

 

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Dr. Zhongyi Zeng’s academic journey is deeply rooted in his passion for pharmaceutical engineering and organic chemistry. Born in October 1989 in Hunan, China, Zeng embarked on his scholarly path at Hunan Normal University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering (2008–2012). Guided by Prof. Yulin Zeng, his foundational studies focused on medicinal and organic chemistry, paving the way for his interest in synthetic methodologies and drug design. His pursuit of excellence led him to South China Normal University, where he completed his Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry (2012–2015) under the supervision of Prof. Dingqiao Yang, diving deeper into advanced organic synthesis, catalysis, and molecular reactivity. His academic curiosity and determination brought him to Europe, where he earned his Ph.D. from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at Heidelberg University, Germany (2015–2018). There, he specialized in transition-metal catalysis and C–H functionalization, key techniques in synthetic organic chemistry, under the guidance of distinguished researchers in the field.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Following his Ph.D., Dr. Zeng broadened his scientific horizons through two postdoctoral research associate positions. From 2018 to 2019, he worked at the University of Zurich’s Department of Chemistry, where he explored electrocatalytic and photocatalytic reactions with high selectivity. This was followed by a position at the Ruhr-University of Bochum’s Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry in Germany (2019–2021), where his multidisciplinary work contributed to advances in redox chemistry, enantioselective transformations, and C–H bond activation using fluorinated π-systems. In December 2021, he returned to China as a Professor and Principal Investigator at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University. Here, Dr. Zeng leads a dynamic research group focusing on electrochemical synthesis, dearomatization strategies, and transition-metal-catalyzed annulation reactions.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Synthetic Chemistry

Dr. Zeng’s research lies at the cutting edge of coordination chemistry, green synthesis, and asymmetric catalysis. His work emphasizes sustainable methodologies for complex molecule construction, particularly via C–H activation, annulation, and carboamination reactions. Notably, his group has demonstrated innovative strategies involving electrocatalytic enantioselective tandem reactions, meta-selective functionalization, and photoinduced dearomatization of pyridines. His multidisciplinary approach combines computational chemistry with experimental mechanistic investigations to develop novel catalytic cycles and unravel reactivity patterns. Key publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, ACS Catalysis, Angewandte Chemie, Coordination Chemistry Reviews, and Organic Chemistry Frontiers highlight his significant contributions to fluorinated molecule design, redox-neutral transformations, and atropisomer synthesis.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Zeng’s excellence in multidisciplinary research has been widely recognized. In 2023, he was honored by the Guangdong Zhujiang Talent Program, a prestigious award recognizing scientific innovation and leadership. Earlier in his academic career, he received the Guangzhou Elite Scholarship Council Award in 2015, which enabled his international academic training and research exposure. His achievements reflect a blend of technical prowess, innovation, and mentorship.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

With over a dozen first-author and corresponding-author publications, Dr. Zeng has made a profound impact on the global chemical research community. His findings have contributed to the advancement of green chemistry, drug discovery, and synthetic methodology development. Collaborating with esteemed scientists like Prof. A. Stephen K. Hashmi and Prof. Weiping Yi, he has nurtured a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that bridges chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and materials research. His mentorship has also inspired a new generation of chemists at Guangzhou Medical University, integrating cross-disciplinary learning and real-world problem solving in the fields of medicinal chemistry, electrosynthesis, and organic reaction mechanisms.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Dr. Zhongyi Zeng’s legacy is not only marked by his technical achievements but also by his forward-thinking vision for sustainable chemical synthesis. As a rising star in the academic world, he is poised to lead future innovations in redox-active catalysis, enantioselective functionalization, and multistep electrochemical synthesis. His current and future projects aim to develop scalable, eco-friendly processes for the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. With his unique combination of theoretical insight, experimental skill, and a global perspective, Dr. Zeng’s research will continue to bridge gaps between fundamental science and applied chemistry.

 

Conclusion

Dr. Zhongyi Zeng stands as a prominent example of a multidisciplinary scholar whose academic journey and scientific contributions transcend traditional boundaries. From his foundational training in pharmaceutical engineering to his leadership in organic and electrochemical catalysis, his work continues to enrich the fields of synthetic chemistry, coordination chemistry, and green technology. As he advances in his career, Dr. Zeng is expected to make enduring contributions to global scientific progress through innovation, collaboration, and education.

📚Publications

Regio- and stereospecific cis-hydrophenoxylation of ynamides with acidic phenols

Authors: Ting Wang; Yuyan Wan; Mingyao Xu; Yi Wang; Xu-Jia Hong; Hui Gao; Zhi Zhou; Wei Yi; Zhongyi Zeng

Journals: Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry

Rh(iii)-catalyzed redox-neutral C–H [4 + 1] annulation of sulfoximines with α,α-difluoromethylene alkynes: diastereoselective synthesis of E-monofluoroalkenyl benzoisothiazole 1-oxides

Authors: Ting Wang; Zhi-Huan Peng; Liexin Wu; Qingwei Song; Qianying Li; Hui Gao; Zhongyi Zeng; Zhi Zhou; Wei Yi

Journals: Organic Chemistry Frontiers

Calcium(II)-Mediated Three-Component Selenofunctionalization of Alkenes under Mild Conditions

Authors: Minyao Kuang; Haoran Li; Zhongyi Zeng; Hui Gao; Zhi Zhou; Xujia Hong; Wei Yi; Shengdong Wang

Journals: Organic Letters

Site-selective rhodium carbene transfer of 2-hydroxy-β-nitrostyrenes with diazo compounds En route to 2-alkylated benzofurans

Authors: Zhongyi Zeng; Haiman Zhang; Zhongyi Zeng; Yurong Yang; Junyuan Tang; Silin Zhang; Wei Yi; Zhi Zhou

Journals: Organic Chemistry Frontiers

Decarboxylation‐Initiated Intermolecular Carbon‐Heteroatom Bond Formation

Authors: Zhongyi Zeng; Zhongyi Zeng; Abigail Feceu; Nardana Sivendran; Lukas J. Gooßen

Journals: Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis

Sandeep Joshi | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Sandeep Joshi – Chemistry – Best Researcher Award

Fellowships:

Junior and Senior Research Fellowships at the National Institute of Technology Uttarakhand. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Junior Research Fellowship with National Eligibility Test qualification (173rd rank in Chemistry, 2017).

NIT uttarakhand | India

Profiles 

Scopus

📍Current Position

Sandeep Joshi is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Uttarakhand, Pauri Garhwal, India. His research is focused on the synthesis, structure, catalytic applications, and molecular detection studies of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and metal complexes. As a Senior Research Fellow at NIT Uttarakhand, he has been instrumental in advancing research in this field, applying both his technical skills and academic knowledge to significant scientific problems.

📝Publication Achievements 

Journals Published

Metal-free hydroarylation derived ferrocene-dihydrocoumarin as ultrasensitive dual-channel probe selectively for picric acid Authors: Suman Srivastava, Arpana Tamrakar, Sandeep Joshi, Dr. Mritunjay D. Pandey, Dr. Rampal Pandey Journal: Applied Organometallic Chemistry, Publication Year: 2023 .Volume: 37(4) .Article Number: e7028. Thiazole-based metalloligands and their heteroleptic MOFs: Chromogenic and fluorometric detection of tryptophan and Z-L-phenylalanine using Cu(II)-complex and Cu(II)-Zn(II) MOF, Authors: Sandeep Joshi, Surabhi Asthana, Dr. Mritunjay D. Pandey, Dr. Rampal Pandey, Journal: Journal of Molecular Structure, Publication Year: 2024, Article Number: 139469

 🔍Ongoing Research 

Sandeep’s ongoing research involves the development of new MOFs and metal complexes for various applications, including catalytic processes and molecular detection. His work focuses on the synthesis and structural analysis of these materials to understand their properties and potential applications in environmental and industrial contexts.

 🔬Research Interests 

Synthesis and Characterization of MOFs: Designing and analyzing new MOFs for their catalytic and molecular detection capabilities. Metal Complexes: Studying the properties and applications of metal complexes in various chemical processes. Chemical Sensing: Developing advanced sensors for detecting specific chemical compounds.

🎓Academic Background 

Sandeep Joshi completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry from H.N.B. Garhwal University in 2009, followed by an M.Sc. in Chemistry from the same institution in 2015. He further pursued a B.Ed. from U.T.U. Dehradun in 2012. Currently, he is engaged in Ph.D. studies at NIT Uttarakhand, where he has achieved a remarkable CGPA of 9.00/10.

🏆Scholarships and Awards 

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Junior Research Fellowship: Secured 173rd rank in the National Eligibility Test in Chemistry in 2017. Junior Research Fellowship: Awarded by NIT Uttarakhand (2020-2022). Senior Research Fellowship: Currently holding this position at NIT Uttarakhand (2022-present).

🌐Professional Associations 

National Conference on Recent Advancement in Physical Sciences (NCRAPS): Contributed to organizing and participating in the conference held at NIT Uttarakhand (2020-2023).

 📚Training & Workshops 

Industrial Summer Training: Conducted at Dolphin (P.G.) Institute of Biomedical & Natural Sciences, Dehradun, focusing on practical applications in biomedical sciences (December 2015). NSS Training: Participated in the National Service Scheme training at H.N.B Garhwal University (December 2007 to January 2008).

🎤Oral Presentations 

International Conference on “Recent Trends in Chemical Sciences & Sustainable Energy” (RTCSSE-2023): Presented a poster at NIT Delhi on March 24-25, 2023.

🧑‍🔬Tasks Completed as a Researcher 

Synthesis of new MOFs and metal complexes. Characterization using techniques like X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. Analysis of the catalytic efficiency and detection capabilities of the synthesized materials.

🚀Success Factors 

Joshi’s success can be attributed to his dedication to research, strong academic background, and ability to work with advanced chemical synthesis techniques. His organizational skills and participation in national conferences further enhance his profile.

🧪Publications & Laboratory Experience

Using software tools like OLEX, Mercury, Mestre Nova, ChemDraw, Mendeley, DFT, and Origin Pro for research and analysis. Hands-on experience in quality control and research through industrial training in HPLC and UV Spectroscopy.

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