Penghao grew up in Changzhi, Shanxi, a mountainous region in northern China. He went to Nankai University for his undergraduate study in chemistry. In 2011, he moved to the US to start his graduate studies in organic chemistry at Boston University with Professor Ramesh Jasti. In 2014, he relocated with the group to the University of Oregon where he obtained his PhD degree in 2017. Penghao’s graduate research focused on the synthesis and physical organic studies of carbon nanohoops with tunable chemical and physical properties. After a short stint as a visiting scholar with Prof. AJ Boydston on polymer chemistry at the University of Washington. Penghao started his postdoctoral appointment with Prof. J. Fraser Stoddart at Northwestern University. At Northwestern, Penghao worked on the assembly of crystalline supramolecular networks with mechanically interlocked topologies and the design and synthesis of functional 3D molecular nanocarbons. He also collaborated closely with Prof. Omar Farha to develop ultraporous metal-organic frameworks for gas storage and environmental remediation. In his spare time, Penghao loves watching sports, especially college football, and spending time in his small garden. Although living in SEC country, he is a die-hard fan of Oregon Ducks and roots for the old foes from the disintegrated Pac-12 conference.
