YU LIYA E.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Division of Environmental Science and Engineering Faculty of Engineering National University of Singapore Office : E1-05-11 Tel : (65)6516-6474 Fax : (65)6774 4202 Emails : liya.yu@nus.edu.sg

Postal Address:
Environmental Science & Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
National University of Singapore
1 Engineering Drive 2, E1A-02-19
Singapore 117576

Biography

Dr. Yu's teaching and research interests focus on air quality and aerosol sciences, with emphasis on two areas: characterization of organic aerosols emitting from combustion sources, and behavior of oxygenated organic compounds in atmospheric particulates, in particular, processes of photooxidation and chemical transformation of dicarboxylic acids. Dr. Yu's research group is also devoted to streamlining analytical approaches to further understand polar organic compounds in the atmospheric environment.

In collaboration with Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS, Dr. Yu expands her research interests to explore potential health effects of engineered nanomaterials through inhalation exposure. Dr. Yu also works with a multi-disciplinary team at NUS to spearhead a campus wide initiative examining potential impacts of engineered nanomaterials on environments and biological systems.

Honour and Awards

• Teaching Commendation Award, NUS (2006-2007)
• Teaching Commendation Award, NUS (2005-2006)
• Teaching Commendation Award, NUS (2001-2002)
• Teaching Commendation Award, NUS (2000-2001)

Professional Activities

• American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR)
• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Environmental Engineering Society of Singapore

Research Interests

• Characterization of combustion aerosol
• Chemical composition of atmospheric organic particulates
• Photochemical transformation of oxygenated organics in atmospheric particulates
• Air quality and vehicle emissions
• Health effects of engineered nanomaterials

Selected Publications

1. Balasubramanian S.K., Yang L.M., Yung L.Y.L., Ong C.N., Ong W.Y., Yu L.E. “Characterization, purification, and stability of gold nanoparticles” Biomaterials, 31:9023-9030 (2010).
2. Balasubramanian, S.K., Jittiwat, J., Manikandan, J., Ong, C.N., Yu, L.E., Ong, W.Y. “Bio-redistribution of gold nanoparticles and gene expression changes in the liver and spleen after intravenous administration in rats”, Biomaterials, 31:2034-2042 (2010).
3. Sun, W., Yang, L.M., Yu, L.E., Saeys, M. “Ab initio Reaction Path Analysis for the Initial Hydrogen Abstraction from Organic Acids by Hydroxyl Radicals”, J. Phys. Chem. A, 113:7852–7860 (2009).
4. Yang, L.M., Yu, L.E., "Measurements of Oxalic Acid, Oxalates, Malonic Acid and Malonates in Atmospheric Particulates", Environ. Sci. Technol., 42:9268-9275 (2008).
5. Yang, L.M., Ray, M.B., Yu, L.E., "Photooxidation of Dicarboxylic Acids. Part I: Effects of Inorganic Ions on Degradation of Azelaic Acid", Atmos. Environ., 42:855-866 (2008).
6. Yang, L.M., Ray, M.B., Yu, L.E., "Photooxidation of Dicarboxylic Acids. Part II: Kinetics, Intermediates, and Field Observations", Atmos. Environ., 42:867-879 (2008).
7. Yu, L.E., Yung, L.Y.L., Ong, C.-N., Tan, Y.-L., Balasubramanian, K.S., Hartono, D., Shui, G. Wenk, M.R., Ong, W.-Y. "Translocation and Effects of Gold Nanoparticles after Inhalation Exposure in Rats", Nanotoxicology, 1:235-242 (2007).
8. Yang, L.M., Lim, J., Yu, L.E. "Effects of Acid-Washing Filter Treatment on Quantification of Aerosol Organic Compounds," Atmos. Environ., 41, 3729-3739 (2007).
9. Gao, Y., Yu, L.E., Chen, S.B. "Theoretical Investigation of Substrate Effect on Deliquescence Relative Humidity of NaCl Particles", J. Phys. Chem. A, 111, 633-639 (2007).
10. Pal, A., Pehkonen, S.O., Yu, L.E., Ray, M.B. "Photocatalytic Inactivation of Gram Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Using Fluorescent Light", J. Photochem. Photobiol. A, 186, 335-341 (2007).
11. Gao, Y., Chen, S.B., Yu, L.E. "Efflorescence Relative Humidity for Airborne Sodium Chloride Particles: A Theoretical Investigation", Atmos. Environ., 41, 2019-2023 (2007).
12. Gao, Y., Chen, S.B., Yu, L.E. "Efflorescence Relative Humidity for Ammonium Sulfate Particles", J. Phys. Chem. A, 110, 7602-7608 (2006).
13. Yu, L.E., Shulman, M.L., Kopperud, R., Hildemann, L.M. "Fine Organic Aerosols Collected in a Humid, Rural Location (Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA): Chemical and Temporal Characteristics," Atmos. Environ., 39, 6037-6050 (2005).
14. Yu, L.E., Shulman, M.L., Kopperud, R., Hildemann, L.M. "Characterization of Organic Compounds Collected During Southeastern Aerosol and Visibility Study: Water-soluble Organic Species," Environ. Sci. Tech., 39, 707-715 (2005).
15. Zhang, X.W., Shen, S.C., Kawi, S., Hidaja, K., Yu, L.E., Ng, K.Y.S. "Naphthalene Oxidation over 1%Pt and 5%Co/?-Al 2O 3 Catalysts: Reaction Intermediates and Possible Pathways," Catal. Lett., 96, 87-96 (2004).
16. Dong, R., Yu, L.E. "Investigation of Surface Changes of Nanoparticles Using TM-AFM Phase Imaging" Environ. Sci. Technol., 37, 2813-2819 (2003).
17. Zhang, X.W., Shen, S.C., Yu, L.E., Kawi, S., Hidajat, K., Ng, K.Y. S. "Oxidative Decomposition of Naphthalene by Supported Metal Catalysts," Appl. Catal. A, 250, 341-352 (2003).

Teaching Areas

• Air pollution and air quality management
• Atmospheric chemistry and physics
• Aerosol science & technology
• Fundamentals in Environmental Protection

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (Civil Env. Eng.) Stanford, USA, 1997
• M.Sc. (Civil Env. Eng.) Stanford, USA, 1990