“For the innovative and pioneering research in wood nanotechnology and nanocellulose toward energy, water and sustainability”
Tian Li is currently a post-doctoral researcher with Professor Liangbing Hu at the University of Maryland. Li obtained her bachelor’s degree from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. She obtained her PhD degree
in the area of electrophysics and non-linear optics in the Department of Electrical Engineering at University of Maryland, where her research focused on the experimental and theoretical studies aimed at establishing a fundamental understanding of
the electrical and optical processes governing the operation of quantum dot solar cells. During postdoc, she has focused her research on emerging cellulose science and engineering and high temperature thermoelectrics. As the leading author, she has
published in Science, Nature Materials, Nature Energy, and Science Advances, among others. She has received many accolades, including the ECE Distinguished Dissertation Award, Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award,
and Forbes 30 under 30 in energy category.