(385be) Shuyang Zhang: Seeking an Industrial Job in Chemical or Materials Engineering

Seeking an industrial job in Chemical or Materials Engineering

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). I earned my Ph.D. from UTK, where my research focused on lignin-based valorization and applications. Prior to that, I received my master’s and bachelor’s degrees in polymer processing and engineering from Sichuan University, China, developing a solid foundation in polymer science. I am now seeking an industrial job in materials science or chemical engineering starting next year.

Work and Research Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2023.8–Present)

• Developed fully renewable lignin-based vitrimers for carbon-negative materials.
• Designed lignin-based omniphobic coatings mimicking PFAS-like liquid repellency for sustainable textile applications.
• To date (as of 04/07/2025): 2 papers published, 3 under review, and 2 patents in progress.

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (2017.8–2023.8)
Thesis: Lignin-based composites for multifunctional applications via additive manufacturing (3D printing).

• Developed lignin-reinforced methacrylate composites for stereolithography (SLA).
• Fabricated stress-indicating wood-based composites using SLA.
• Conducted bioconversion of lignin to value-added products with an “alkali-strategy”.
• Fabricated cellulose-based adsorbents for dye removal.
• Designed scalable, chemical-free water treatment materials from low-rank coal.
• Collaborated on additional projects involving:
• Lignin-based PU foams
• Lignin/PHA composites by 3D printing
• Biomass pretreatment for biofuels

Outcome: ~16 peer-reviewed publications and 7 international conference presentations during Ph.D. and Postdoc periods.

M.S. in Polymer Processing and Engineering
Sichuan University, China

• Investigated polylactide (PLA) processing, focusing on film blowing and rheological behavior through molecular configuration adjustments.
• Resulted in 6 peer-reviewed journal articles on PLA processing.

Publication list

1. Shuyang Zhang, et al., Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 481, 148449
2. Shuyang Zhang, et al., Composites Science and Technology, 2024, 249, 110487
3. Shuyang Zhang, et al., Journal of Materials Science, 2022, 57, 10141
4. Shuyang Zhang, et al., Materials & Design, 2021, 206, 109773
5. Anqi Ji., Shuyang Zhang*, et al., RSC Advances, 2020, 10, 21698 (*equal contribution)
6. Shuyang Zhang, et al., ACS Omega, 2019, 4, 20197
7. Shuyang Zhang, et al., Colloid and Polymer Science. 2016, 294(11), 1865-1870
8. Shuyang Zhang, et al., Acta Polymerica Sinica. 2016(5), 679-684
9. Peter K Karoki, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Polymer Testing. 2024, 137, 108515
10. Xianzhi Meng, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Industrial Crops and Products, 2022, 178, 11457
11. Zhi-Min Zhao, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Green Chemistry, 2021, 23, 4697
12. Luna Liang, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Frontiers in Chemistry, 2020, 8, 570
13. Feng Wu, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Polymer. 2016, 90, 264-275
14. Feng Wu, Shuyang Zhang, Colloid and Polymer Science. 2016, 294(5), 801-813
15. Min Zhang, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Chemical Journal of Chinese University. 2017, 38(1), 133-140
16. Zhefeng Chen, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Acta Polymerica Sinica. 2015(11), 1121-1127.
17. Zhefeng Chen, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2016, (133)6, 1121-1127
18. Xianhui Zhao, Ying Wang, Xiaowen Chen, Xinbin Yu, Wei Li, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Matter, 2023, 6, 97
19. Shuvodeep De, Shalini Jayaraman Rukmani, Xianhui Zhao, Cait Clarkson, Frederic Vautard, Samarthya Bhagia, Monojoy Goswami, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Advanced Functional Materials. 2025, 35, 2414222
20. Xianhui Zhao, Samarthya Bhagia, Diego Gomez-Maldonado, Xiaomin Tang, Sanjita Wasti, Shun Lu, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Materials Today, 2023, 66, 409.
21. Xianzhi Meng, Yunxuan Wang, Austin J Conte, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Bioresource Technology, 2023, 368, 128280
22. Huang Tan, Hanqing Wang, Yue Tang, Shuyang Zhang, et al., Polymer International, 2018, 67, 1535

Research Interests

• 3D printing of functional and sustainable materials
• Biomass valorization and industrial waste utilization
• Carbon-negative, biobased and sustainable materials
• Structure–property relationships
• Polymer processing