Young scholar from CityUHK named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026
Professor Yang Jiarui, Global research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 in the Healthcare & Science category, in recognition of his innovative research achievements in catalysts and electrochemistry.
Professor Yang said: “My initial reaction to being selected for the Forbes list was one of surprise, followed by a strong sense of responsibility. This recognition does not belong to me alone; it also reflects the growing presence of Hong Kong’s young scientific community on the international stage. CityUHK’s strong foundation in electrocatalysis and energy materials has provided me with an outstanding platform, enabling me to rapidly expand both the depth and breadth of my research while maintaining academic independence.”
He noted that electrocatalysis is both a highly fundamental scientific discipline and a field closely linked to industrial applications and the energy transition, with the potential to transform chemical manufacturing processes in meaningful ways. Looking ahead, he hopes to stay true to his original aspirations and harness the creative power of chemistry to advance the energy transition, environmental protection and sustainable development.
After earning his PhD from the Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University, Professor Yang joined CityUHK through the Global Research Assistant Professors Scheme. His research focuses on the design and construction of efficient electrochemical systems, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between structure and activity in electrocatalytic processes. His work spans the entire innovation chain, from theoretical design to industrial applications, with the aim of transforming chemical manufacturing technologies and advancing energy conversion and green chemistry.
As a rising star in the field of chemistry, Professor Yang has published numerous papers in leading international journals, including Science, Nature, Nature Synthesis, Angewandte Chemie, and Nature Communications. His research has been cited more than 7,000 times, and he holds two patents in related fields.
His achievements have received widespread recognition, including prestigious awards such as the Dimitris N. Chorafas Prize, the IUPAC-Solvay Award for Young Chemists, and the Carbon Future Young Investigator Award. In 2023, his research was selected as one of China’s major scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs.
Mr Jerry Lo Yik-ting, a CityUHK alumnus, was also named in this year's 30 Under 30 Asia in the Social Impact category. Mr Lo graduated from CityUHK with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. In 2023, he co-founded Eat100, a for-profit social enterprise. The platform focuses on tackling food waste through business innovation, helping to reduce environmental impact. In 2023, the project received Seed Fund support from HK Tech 300, CityUHK's flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, which helped the team develop their innovative idea into a start-up.
30 Under 30 is a set of lists published annually by Forbes magazine since 2011 that recognises 30 notable people under 30 years old in each industry category. Aside from the United States edition, it has expanded to separate editions covering Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Africa.