Yingchun Li
Yingchun Li, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Phone: (936) 261-3106 Email: ycli@pvamu.edu
Office: 230M Elmer E. Obanion’s Science Building, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446 USA

Education

Ph. University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
MS.-Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
BS.-Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China

Work History

2020-Present: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas 77446, USA
2011-2020: Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas 77446, USA
2008-2011: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Chemistry and Physics, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402, USA
2000-2008: Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University (2000-2008)
1991-1996: Lecture, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China.

Biography

Yingchun Li received his BS in Chemistry from Sichuan University in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, P. R. China in 1988. He received his MS in Medicinal Chemistry from Shandong University in Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China in 1991 and worked there for six years. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry in the field of organic and biochemistry in Bioorganic Chemistry from the University of Houston in the year 2000. He then did postdoctoral research in Dr. Frank Raushel’s Lab at Texas A&M University, conducting research in enzyme chemistry. After teaching at Southeastern Louisiana University for three years in 2011, he joined Prairie View A&M University as an adjunct professor in the Department of Chemistry. He has been promoted to a tenure-track assistant professor since late 2020.

In our research, g-C3N4 material-based catalysts have been designed and synthesized chemically in our laboratory; the structure, composition of the prepared catalysts are characterized and measured mostly by spectroscopic methods; photocatalytic activity will be assessed by monitoring the reaction under visible light using a UV-spectroscopic method. This research will yield the structure and composition-activity relationship of the photocatalysts and guide us to design more and more efficient ones; enrich our knowledge of photocatalysts; deepen our understanding of the photocatalytic mechanism, and ultimately provide catalysts for practical applications.

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Awards and Honors

  • U.S. Department of the Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, AFRL/RXEPE, 2179 12th Street WPAFB, OH 45433-7718, 2024
  • Excellent Poster Award from Shandong Branch of Chinese Pharmaceutical Society at the Regional Meeting in Jinan, Shandong Province, P.R. China, 1992

Memberships

  • American Chemical Society

Teaching Interest

Courses Taught

CHEM 1021-General Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 1033-General Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 1042- General Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 1051- General Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 1106-General Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 2042-General Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 4023-General Inorganic Chemistry Lab
CHEM 4032-General Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 4303-Biochemistry
CHEM 4204-Biochemistry Lab
CHEM 5331-Advanced Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 5334-General Biochemistry

Research

Group pictures

Research group pictures

Research Interests

Yingchun Li’s interest covers a broad area, including photocatalysis, photochromism, and medicinal chemistry. His current research includes 1) g-C3N4 photocatalyst synthesis and application in the removal of organic pollutants and organic redox reactions. 2) design and synthesis of organic photochromic compounds with potential applications in eyewear, smart windows. 3) Design and synthesis of small organic molecules as anticancer drugs targeted at YEATS4.

Research Projects

1. Photocatalyst Development:

A photocatalyst is a material that speeds up a chemical reaction when it is exposed to light, typically sunlight or UV light. We are interested in a kind of photocatalysis involving semiconductor photocatalysts that can act both as a reductant and an oxidant simultaneously under light irradiation. The semiconductor photocatalysts are finding applications in 1) environmental remediation by enhancing degradation of organic pollutants, 2) hydrogen production by water splitting, and even 3) antimicrobial coating. However, the low efficiency is still a barrier for most practical applications.  We are working on the design, synthesis, and activity assessment of a new material with potentially higher efficiency

2. Photochromic Organic Compounds

A photocatalyst is a material that speeds up a chemical reaction when it is exposed to light, typically sunlight or UV light. The color change in photochromic compounds is caused by isomerization. When these molecules absorb light, they switch between two isomers (different structural forms) with distinct absorption spectra and cause a color change. Photochromic organic compounds are used in various applications: eyewear lenses, security printing, smart windows, and data storage. We are working on the rational design and synthesis of photochromic molecules targeting some applications.

Journal Articles

  1. Makobi C Okolie, Glory G Ollordaa, Gopal R Ramidi, Xin Yan, Yufeng Quan, Qingsheng Wang, Yingchun Li*, “Graphitic Carbon Nitride Catalyzes the Reduction of the Azo Bond by Hydrazine under Visible Light” Nanomaterials2024, 14(17), 1402 https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14171402
  1. Tsai, Ping-Chuan; Bigley, Andrew; Li, Yingchun; Ghanem, Eman; Cadieux, C. Linn; Kasten, Shane A.; Reeves, Tony E.; Cerasoli, Douglas M.; Raushel, Frank M. “Stereoselective Hydrolysis of Organophosphate Nerve Agents by the Bacterial Phosphotriesterase” Biochemistry2010, 49(37), 7978-7987 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bi101056m
  2. Nguyen, Tinh T.; Fedorov, Alexander A.; Williams, LaKenya; Fedorov, Elena V.; Li, Yingchun; Xu, Chengfu; Almo, Steven C.; Raushel, Frank M. “The Mechanism of the Reaction Catalyzed by Uronate Isomerase Illustrates How an Isomerase May Have Evolved from a Hydrolase within the Amidohydrolase Superfamily”, Biochemistry 2009, 48(37), 8879-8890 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bi901046x
  3. Eman Ghanem, Yingchun Li, Chengfu Xu, and Frank M. Raushel. “Characterization of a Phosphodiesterase Capable of Hydrolyzing EA 2912, the most toxic degradation product of the Nerve agent VX.” Biochemistry 2007, 46, 9032-9040. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/bi700561k
  1. Yingchun Li and Frank M. Raushel. “Differentiation of chiral phosphorus enantiomers by 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy using amino acid derivatives as chemical solvating agent” Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2007, 18, 1391-1397. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095741660700434X
  1. Charity Nowlan; Yingchun Li; Johannes C. Hermann; Timothy Evens; Joseph Carpenter; Eman Ghanem; Brain K. Schoichet; Frank M. Raushel. “Resolution of Chiral Phosphate, Phosphonate, and Phosphinate Esters by an Enantioselective Enzyme Library” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2006, 128, 15892-15902. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja0658618
  1. Johannes C. Hermann; Eman Ghanem; Yingchun Li; Frank M. Raushel; John J. Irwin; Brian K Shoichet. “Predicting Substrates by Docking High-Energy Intermediates to Enzyme Structure” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2006, 128, 15882-15891. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja0658618
  1. Lakenya Williams; Tinh Nguyen; Yingchun Li; Tamiko N. Porter; Frank M. Raushel. “Uronate Isomerase: A Nonhydrolytic Member of the Amidohydrolase Superfamily with an Ambivalent Requirement for a Divalent Metal Ion” Biochemistry 2006, 4, 7453-7462. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bi060531l
  1. Yingchun Li; Frank Raushel. “Inhibitors Designed for the Active Site of Dihydroorotase” Bioorganic Chemistry 2005, 33, 470-483. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045206805000799
  1. Tamiko N. Porter, Yingchun Li, and Frank M. Raushel. “Mechanism of the Dihydroorotase Reaction” Biochemistry 2004, 43, 16285-16292. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bi048308g
  1. Sarah D. Aubert, Yingchun Li, and Frank M. Raushel. “Mechanism for the Hydrolysis of Organophosphates by the Bacterial Phosphotriesterase” Biochemistry 2004, 43, 5707-5715. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bi0497805
  2. Min-Sun Park; Craig M. Hill; Yingchun Li; R. Kristoffer Hardy; Hemant Khanna; Yong-Ho Khong; Frank M. Raushel. “Catalytic Properties of the PepQ Prolidase from Escherichia Coli” Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 2004, 429, 224-230. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003986104003728
  1. Yingchun Li; Sara D. Aubert; Eugene G. Maes; and Frank M. Raushel. “Enzymatic Resolution of Chiral Phosphinate Esters” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2004, 126, 8888-8889. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja048457m
  1. Karin T Lum; Henry J. Huebner; Yingchun Li; Timothy D. Phillips and Frank M. Raushel. “Organophosphate Nerve Agent Toxicity in Hydra Attenuata” Chemical Research in Toxicology 2003, 16, 953-957. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/tx034047k
  1. Yingchun Li; Sarah D. Aubert and Frank M. Raushel. “Operational Control of Stereoselectivity during the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Racemic Organophosphorus Compounds” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2003, 125, 7526-7527. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja035625m
  1. Wen-Shan Li; Yingchun Li; Craig M. Hill; Karin T. Lum and Frank M. Raushel. “Enzymatic Synthesis of Chiral Organophosphothioate from Prochiral Precursors” Journal of the American Chemical Society 2002, 124, 3498-3499. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ja017840d
  1. Shen, Chengguo; Jin, Liufu; Ying, Wang; Xu, Lijun; Li, Yingchun. “Effect of Inabenfide on Growth of Soybean Seeding” Zhiwu Shenglixue Tongxun. 1996, 32, 262-264.
  2. Peiman Liu, Yingchun Li, Zhong Li, Ning Hou, and Lijun Xu, “Antibacterial activity of a Schiff base, 4-amino-3-(a-furanyl)-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole and its Cu (II) complex” Modern Applied Pharmaceutics 1993, 10, 2-4. http://www.chinjmap.com/en/article/id/19930401
  1. Peiman Liu, Yingchun Li, Zhong Li, Xingpo Wang and Lijun Xu, “Antibacterial activity of thiosemicabazones and their transition metal coordination compounds” Shandong Yike Daxue Xuebao 1992, 30, 340-342.
  2. Yingchun Li and Lijun Xu, “Synthesis and bacteriostatic activity of thiosemicarbazones and their transition metal complexes,” Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 1990, 25, 593-597. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2082681/

Conference Presentation

  1. Yingchun Li*, Arial S. Thomas, Photocatalysis for Organic Transformations under visible light. 17thEdition of International Conference on Catalysis, Chemical Engineering and Technology (Catalysis 2023), October 26-28, 2023, at Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
  2. Yingchun Li*, Emily Mcguire and Makobi C. Okolie, Application of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Material as Photocatalysts to Organic Redox Reactions, IV International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering, April 24-28, 2023, at Houston, Texas USA,
  3. Emily McGuire, Yingchun Li, Synthesis and Assessment of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanomaterials as Visible Light-Activated Photocatalysts. 17thAnnual Research Symposium, Faculty research presentation.  April 8th, 2022, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
  4. Thao Huynh, Makobi Okolie, Tony Grady, Merlyn Pulikkathara, and Yingchun Li, Design, Synthesis, Characterization and Assessment of Novel Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanomaterials as Photocatalysts for Removal of Organic Pollutants or/and Hydrogen Production through Water Splitting under Solar Light, 14th Annual Research Symposium, Faculty research presentation.  April 10th, 2019, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
  5. Folami Williams, Abraham C. Parada-Medina, and Yingchun Li, Ph.D. New Method Development for Synthesis of Aryloxyketones 14thAnnual Research Symposium, April 11th, 2019, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
  6. Thao Huynh, Abraham Parada-Medina, Dr. Yingchun Li, PhD, Design, Synthesis, Characterization and Assessment of Novel Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanomaterials as Photocatalysts for Removal of Organic Pollutant or/and Hydrogen Production through Water Splitting under Solar Light Thao Huynh, Abraham Parada-Medina, Dr. Yingchun Li, PhD, 14thAnnual Research Symposium, April 11th, 2019, at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
  7. Samuriel I. Jacksonǂ and Yingchun Li. Synthesis and Assessment of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanomaterials as Photocatalysts for Removal of Organic Pollutants under Visible Light.  2019 Project Seed Poster Session, August 2nd, 2019, at the University of St Thomas, Houston
  8. Daniel Tran, Ian Shortt, Mykala Taylor, Odaro Adu, Yingchun Li, Ph.D., Hua-Jun Fan, Ph.D. “Synthesis, characterization, and modeling of (E)-4,4′-(ethene-1,2-diyl) dianiline” Poster Presentation, 247 ACS National Meeting, March 16-20, 2014, in Dallas, Texas.
  9. Kristen Michelle Hilliard, Chad Alexander Crochet, and Yingchun Li*, “Michael Addition of a Phosphorus Ylide” Poster Presentation, 66th Southwest and 62nd Southeastern Regional Meetings of the ACS, November 30 to December 4, 2010, in New Orleans