ASU remembers Yan Liu and her passion for discovery
The School of Molecular Sciences Professor Yan Liu is remembered as a dear colleague and friend.
The School of Molecular Sciences and the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University mourn the loss of a dear colleague and friend, Professor Yan Liu, who died July 17.
Liu was an expert on understanding the physical chemistry aspects of DNA-based self-assembly and developing applications of DNA-directed assembly in nanophotonics and nanomedicine.
Ever since their elegant DNA origami nanostructures graced cover of Science magazine in 2011, Liu and collaborators had been working tirelessly, capitalizing on inspiration from nature and seeking to solve complex human problems.
DNA nanotechnology is a field that represents the coalescence of chemistry and architecture, with scientists using building materials that are 50,000 times smaller than a human hair.
Imagine using coiled strands of DNA, wrapped end over end, to build tiny robots that could enter the body and deliver drugs exactly where they need to go, or nanoscale solar panels that work to provide more renewable energy. That is the promise, excitement and long-term dream of this technology.
To quote Liu, “I was fascinated by the idea of using nature's material to build man-made systems and devices that can potentially be useful for health and energy applications.”
Ian Gould, President's Professor and associate dean of online and digital initiatives in the School of Molecular Sciences, remembered Liu's innovative approach to problem solving.
“Yan was a remarkable scientist who helped to open up entirely new areas of materials science,” Gould said. “She combined creativity and expertise in quantum materials, DNA nanotechnology and photophysics to build novel nanophotonic materials to address problems in a wide range of disciplines from fundamental science to energy conversion and sensing.”
Colleagues were integral to her research — notably Hao Yan, Milton Glick Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences and director of the Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics. One of the team’s creations was new types of meta-DNA structures that promise to open up the fields of optoelectronics, including information storage and encryption as well as synthetic biology.
“Yan was an integral part of our School of Molecular Sciences and will be greatly missed,” said Tijana Rajh, professor and director of the school. “Her contributions to our school, science and the research community will not be forgotten. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Professor Liu’s family during this difficult time.”
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Yan Liu with her children, Tanya Yan (left) and Daniel Yan.
Photo courtesy of Yan Liu's family
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Yan Liu loved to hike and explore the outdoors.
Photo courtesy of Yan Liu's family
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Yan Liu with her son, Daniel.
Photo courtesy of Yan Liu's family
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Yan Liu and her daughter, Tanya, who graduated from ASU.
Photo by Mary Zhu
Liu received her Bachelor of Science in 1993 from Shandong University’s department of applied chemistry, specializing in colloidal chemistry. Liu completed her PhD at Columbia University in 2000, focusing on using second harmonic generation to study the surface properties of colloidal particles.
Liu did postdoctoral research at Rockefeller University and Duke University studying photobiology and photochemistry of proteins and pigments. She joined the faculty of ASU and the Biodesign Institute in 2004.
“Yan was a greatly valued colleague, co-worker and friend. Her deep understanding of molecular and nanophotonics coupled with a passion discovery made her a joy to work with,” said Neal Woodbury, vice president and chief science and technology officer for ASU's Knowledge Enterprise. “She will be greatly missed by all.”
Liu leaves behind her husband, Xuguang Sui, her daughter, Tanya Yan (an ASU graduate), and her son, Daniel Yan.
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