On May 29, 2026, Yu Chen, a fifth-year Ph.D. student (Class of 2021), and Dr. Yuzhong Yang, a postdoctoral researcher who joined our group in 2024, successfully completed their Ph.D. dissertation defense and postdoctoral exit defense, respectively. The defense committee consisted of Prof. Chunming Cui, Shaowei Wang, Liangbing Gan, Wenguang Wang, Junlong Zhang, and Wenliang Huang. Prof. Zhang, Xi, and Wei also attended the defense.

        The research of both Mr. Chen and Dr. Yang focused on the activation of white phosphorus. During the defense, they presented the results of their research carried out in the group, shared their future research plans, and engaged in extensive discussions with the committee members. The committee highly praised their work and provided many valuable suggestions. In addition, Mr. Chunxiao Shan, supervised by Professors Xi and Wei, also completed his Ph.D. dissertation defense on the same day.

        At the conclusion of the defense, the committee unanimously approved the Ph.D. dissertation defenses of Yu Chen and Chunxiao Shan and recommended that they be awarded the Doctor of Science degree. The committee also approved Dr. Yuzhong Yang's postdoctoral exit defense.

        Congratulations to all of them on this important achievement! We wish them every success and a bright future in their academic and professional careers.