Dr. Lei Zhang | Electrocatalysis | Best Researcher Award 

Google Scholar profile

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Lei Zhang’s journey into the world of science and engineering began with a strong foundation in academic excellence. Her early interest in chemistry and materials science set the stage for a career dedicated to solving pressing global challenges in clean energy. With a rigorous academic training and a passion for sustainability, Lei laid the groundwork for a career that would later influence both research and industry on a global scale.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Since 2004, Dr. Zhang has served as a Senior Research Officer at the National Research Council Canada (NRC), where she is based at the Clean Energy Innovation (CEI) Research Center in Vancouver. In this role, she has led high-profile research and development projects, translating advanced scientific concepts in electrocatalysis and clean energy into real-world technologies. Her focus areas include PEM fuel cells, supercapacitors, batteries, and CO₂ capture and conversion, all of which are vital to combating climate change. She also plays a critical role in mentoring the next generation of scientists by supervising co-op students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting researchers.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus On Electrocatalysis 

Dr. Zhang’s research is characterized by its real-world applicability and visionary scope. Her work focuses on electrocatalysis, a key enabling technology in renewable energy systems, and advanced materials for energy conversion and storage. Her innovations not only improve the efficiency and sustainability of energy systems but also position Canada as a global leader in clean technologies. She has been instrumental in developing materials and systems that bridge scientific discovery with industrial scalability, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Zhang’s work has had a far-reaching impact in both academic and industrial settings. She is a trailblazer in fostering international collaborations and bridging the gap between scientific innovation and industrial implementation. Her leadership extends beyond the laboratory into strategic roles that shape Canada’s research landscape. Her influence is visible in her editorial contributions and service to national research funding bodies, where she helps evaluate and shape emerging science initiatives.

🧠 Research Skills

Dr. Zhang possesses a comprehensive set of research skills spanning nanomaterials synthesis, electrocatalysis, energy storage and conversion systems, process integration, and CO₂ reduction technologies. Her methodological rigor and innovative approaches make her a trusted expert in both academic and applied energy research landscapes.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Zhang’s groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and fellowships:

• Fellow, Canadian Academy of Engineering (2025)

• Fellow, International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance (2024)

• Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (2017)

• Research.com Materials Science in Canada Leader Award (2024 & 2025)

• NRC Research Excellence Award (2025)

• VDGOOD International Distinguished Scientist Award (2022)

• NRC Challenge Program Award (2020)

• IAOEES Research Excellence Award (2018)

• Thomson Reuters Top 5 World’s Strongest Competency Team (2010)

🏛️ Legacy and Future Contributions

As a leader in clean energy innovation, Dr. Zhang’s legacy is rooted in her vision of a sustainable and technologically advanced future. Her ongoing role as Associate Editor of Frontiers in Energy Research, editorial board member of 10 journals, and reviewer for Canadian NSERC programs ensures her continued influence on scientific discourse and policy. Her future contributions are expected to further transform the clean energy landscape through deeper integration of AI-driven energy research and global sustainability initiatives.

Publications Top Notes

📘 A Review of Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Journal: Chemical Society Reviews
Citations: 🔢 9,919
Year: 📅 2012

📘 A Review of Electrolyte Materials and Compositions for Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Journal: Chemical Society Reviews
Citations: 🔢 3,871
Year: 📅 2015

📘 A Review of Anode Catalysis in the Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Journal: Journal of Power Sources
Citations: 🔢 2,197
Year: 📅 2006

📘 A Review on Non-Precious Metal Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cells
Journal: Energy & Environmental Science
Citations: 🔢 2,009
Year: 📅 2011

📘 Nanostructured Pt-Alloy Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cell Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Journal: Chemical Society Reviews
Citations: 🔢 1,284
Year: 📅 2010

📘 A Review of Fe–N/C and Co–N/C Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Journal: Electrochimica Acta
Citations: 🔢 1,284
Year: 📅 2008

📘 Degradation Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies of Nickel-Rich NMC-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries
Journal: Electrochemical Energy Reviews
Citations: 🔢 697
Year: 📅 2020

📘 Progress in Preparation of Non-Noble Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cell Reactions
Journal: Journal of Power Sources
Citations: 🔢 660
Year: 📅 2006

📘 Nano-Architecture and Material Designs for Water Splitting Photoelectrodes
Journal: Chemical Society Reviews
Citations: 🔢 578
Year: 📅 2012

📘 A Review of Cathode Materials and Structures for Rechargeable Lithium–Air Batteries
Journal: Energy & Environmental Science
Citations: 🔢 555
Year: 📅 2015

📘 A Review of Heat-Treatment Effects on Activity and Stability of PEM Fuel Cell Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Journal: Journal of Power Sources
Citations: 🔢 541
Year: 📅 2007

📘 Nanocrystalline Intermetallics on Mesoporous Carbon for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell Anodes
Journal: Nature Chemistry
Citations: 🔢 537
Year: 📅 2010

📘 Recent Progresses in Electrocatalysts for Water Electrolysis
Journal: Electrochemical Energy Reviews
Citations: 🔢 456
Year: 📅 2018

📘 Recent Progress in Advanced Electrode Materials, Separators and Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Citations: 🔢 420
Year: 📅 2018

📘 Atomic Cobalt as an Efficient Electrocatalyst in Sulfur Cathodes for Superior Room-Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries
Journal: Nature Communications
Citations: 🔢 411
Year: 📅 2018

📘 Non-Noble Metal Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Water Electrolysis
Journal: Electrochemical Energy Reviews
Citations: 🔢 372
Year: 📅 2021

📘 Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) Catalyzed by Carbon-Supported Cobalt Polypyrrole (Co-PPy/C) Electrocatalysts
Journal: Electrochimica Acta
Citations: 🔢 341
Year: 📅 2009

📘 Energy Related CO₂ Conversion and Utilization: Advanced Materials/Nanomaterials, Reaction Mechanisms and Technologies
Journal: Nano Energy
Citations: 🔢 334
Year: 📅 2017