Dr. Yu Lei is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. His research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis and atomic layer deposition (ALD), with applications in catalysis, energy storage, and environmental technologies. He is known for developing nanomaterials that integrate surface chemistry, kinetics, and reaction engineering to solve complex challenges. Dr. Lei is a Fulbright U.S. Scholar and recipient of multiple national honors recognizing his research and academic leadership. 

PhD,  Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago (2010)

BS, Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, China (2004)

College of Engineering Brian Landrum Outstanding Faculty Service Award, 2024

Fulbright U.S. Scholar, 2023-2024
College of Engineering Outstanding Junior Professor Award, 2018

College of Engineering Outstanding Faculty Member Award, 2016

ACS-PRF Doctoral New Investigator Award, 2015

ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, 2015