Third-year doctoral University of Florida student Yunhan Chuai credits his parents with being “brave and supportive enough” to send him across the ocean to study engineering.
But, as he prepared to move from China to Gainesville in 2020, COVID had different plans.
UF accepted him into the master’s program, but the pandemic meant attending his first year online from China, forcing him to manage a 12-hour time difference. A year later, he arrived in Gainesville and joined the research group of Distinguished Professor Mark Orazem, Ph.D., of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
After defending his thesis at the end of 2022, Chuai began the Ph.D. program and now plans to graduate in the summer of 2026.
His studies have focused on electrochemical engineering, and he plans to make real-world contributions to society. Specifically, he plans to work as an electrochemical research and development engineer.
“I am grateful that the department regularly organizes alumni talks and helps us build connections in industry. This is really helpful,” Chuai said. “I am very proud to be a student of the UF Department of Chemical Engineering.”
When he first arrived in Gainesville, he felt unsure and very alone amid his new environment, study demands, lifestyle changes and, certainly, the language barrier. But he credits the activities organized by the department with helping him meet people and become integrated into the academic scene.
“Yunhan is an amazing young man and a delightful member of our group,” said Orazem. “It took him time to understand and trust the collaborative relationship I want to have with my students, which was different from what he was used to in China. He is now the senior member of my group, and he is like a big brother to my junior students. He works as well with the undergraduates, mentoring them and helping them to learn electrochemistry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.”
Chuai agreed he overcame challenges to find high rewards.
“You must have courage to take that step and don’t be afraid of difficulties,” Chuai said. “UF ChemE is a good, big family.”
He specifically credits Orazem with caring for his students, understanding the difficulties they encounter and helping guide them forward.
“Not only did he teach me how to conduct professional research, but his valuable life experience also deeply influenced me,” Chuai said. “I am very lucky to have such an advisor who gave me the precious opportunity to join the project and cared about my research work and life.”
In addition to performing high-quality research, Yunhan has developed leadership skills, Orazem noted.
“He prepares and presents detailed and organized updates on our research progress in biweekly program review meetings with our sponsor. These are well received. Our sponsor frequently comments on how professional and organized our meetings are compared to what he has seen from other research groups,” said Orazem.
Chuai said his time at UF — and the department itself —resulted in meeting his wife, Cong Sun, who was a chemical engineering master’s student. Now, she is also pursuing her Ph.D.
“We met and fell in love here and got married in 2024. We wouldn’t have become a couple if we weren’t here. We are very lucky. Thank you very much to UF ChemE,” he said. “I am excited to find a job after graduation, have a baby with my wife and take care of family.”