Yuming Zhao, a synthetic and physical organic chemist, received his Bachelor of Engineering in fine chemical technology and his MSc degree in organic chemistry from Dalian University of Technology, China.  His PhD degree in synthetic organic and materials chemistry was obtained from University of Alberta under the supervision of Prof. Rik R. Tykwinski, and his postdoctoral training (NSERC PDF) was in synthetic chemistry and nanotechnology at Rice University with Prof. James M. Tour. He joined the Department of Chemistry at Memorial University in 2004 where he is presently a tenured full Professor of Chemistry.

Dr. Yuming Zhao was born in Dalian city, China in 1971. He obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree from the School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology in 1993, majoring in fine chemical technology. From 1993 to 1996, he was an MSc student in the Department of Applied Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, working with Prof. Keyan Zhou on the topic of organogallium compounds and related nanomaterials.

In the spring of 1998, he joined in Prof. Rik R. Tykwinski's group at the Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, as a PhD student. His PhD research focused on the synthesis of cross-conjugated enyne oligomers and characterization of their third-order nonlinear optical properties. After graduation from University of Alberta in 2002, he went to Rice University (Houston, Texas) to work with Prof. James M. Tour as a postdoctoral fellow. His postdoctoral work was supported by an NSERC PDF scholarship.

In the summer of 2004, Dr. Yuming Zhao started as a tenure-track assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry, Memorial University. In 2009, Dr. Zhao became a tenured associate professor, and in 2014 he was promoted to the rank of full professor.

As an independent researcher, Dr. Yuming Zhao's research interests  encompass the synthesis and application of novel pi-conjugated molecules/macromolecules and carbon-rich nanomaterials (e.g., polyynes, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes). His group has also been actively collaborating with other research teams in the areas of microporous materials, computational organic chemistry, environmental engineering, antifouling and anticorrosion coatings. His research has been funded by various agencies, including NSERC, CFI, and RDC.