Hua-Zhong "Hogan" Yu

Professor, Joint Affiliations with 4D Labs and Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Chemistry

Areas of interest

Analytical and Materials Chemistry

Education

  • B. Sc. & M.Sc. - Shandong University
  • Ph. D. - Peking University (Beijing)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow - California Institute of Technology
  • Postdoctoral Fellow - NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences

Lab Information

Research

The research work conducted in my group as part of SFU 4D Labs spans a broad range of analytical, physical, and materials chemistry. We are currently working on the following projects:

Advanced Chemical Analysis: from Mobile Electronics to Biosensors. The main goal is to develop point-of-care quantitation methods for chemical analysis and medical diagnosis based on consumer electronics (disc player, office scanner, and smartphone) and mobile apps. Besides, we are interested in the de novo creation of functional DNA switch (aptamers, DNAzymes)-based electrochemical biosensors for quantitative detection of a wide variety of analytes (e.g., cardiac markers, pregnancy hormones, food toxins, and pesticides). 

Physical Chemistry at Molecular Interfaces. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are formed by the adsorption of organic molecules on solid surfaces. With their well-defined structure and great flexibility, SAMs are excellent model systems to gain fundamental understanding regarding interfacial physical chemistry (molecular binding and charge transfer). We have been recently interested in exploring supramolecular host-guest complexation at such molecular interfaces with different electrochemical and structural characterization techniques.

Applied Materials for Biochips and Beyond. The main goal of this project is to modify the surface properties of different materials for the fabrication of efficient biochips and for many other applications (textile and construction industry). Methods such as solvent-assistant recrystallization or unconventional silanization reactions have been explored for modifying the micro/nanoscale morphology of surfaces to achieve superhydrophobicity.

Publications

Click here to view publications.

Courses

Future courses may be subject to change.