Dr. Yu Chen

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
65-30 Kissena Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11367

Office: Remsen 205F
Lab: Remsen 251
Phone: 718-997-4132
yu.chen1@qc.cuny.edu

Dr. Yu Chen earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Nankai University before completing his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto under the guidance of Professor Andrei Yudin. He then pursued postdoctoral research with Professor Richard Larock at Iowa State University. In August 2009, Dr. Chen began his independent research career at Queens College, CUNY.

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on transition metal catalysis, iodine chemistry, single-electron transfer processes, and heterocyclic chemistry. The Chen group is currently developing palladium-, gold-, and iron-catalyzed cascade reactions, as well as iodine-mediated chemical transformations. Within the field of iodine chemistry, the group focuses on iodine-mediated cyclization, functional group interconversion, and radical transformations. Despite being a small team, the Chen group fosters a dynamic research environment with a diverse cohort of postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. and master’s students, undergraduates, and even high school students. The group also welcomes visiting scholars and has hosted nine researchers from Asia and Europe.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Chen teaches Basic Organic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Advanced Organic Chemistry at both undergraduate and graduate levels.