Shunran Li and Bo Zhou honored at Crest & Fest

Days before they receive their doctorate degrees, Shunran Li and Bo Zhou were honored Wednesday for their outstanding work as graduate students by Yale Engineering Dean Jeffrey Brock at the School’s annual Crest & Fest celebration.

The 2024 Henry Prentiss Becton Graduate Prize, which comes with a certificate and $500 and is awarded for exceptional achievement in research, went to Li. Under the guidance of Professor Peijun Guo in Chemical and Environmental Engineering and the Energy Sciences Institute, Li has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of metal halide perovskites. Among other applications, his work holds potential benefits for the fields of photovoltaics and optoelectronics.

Li also developed new methods in ultrafast spectroscopy and thermal metrology, significantly advancing our capabilities in these areas. His publications, including high-impact papers in journals such as Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, and the Journal of the American Chemical Society, reflect the breadth and depth of his research. Remarkably, he has already authored or co-authored 25 peer-reviewed articles, with nearly 3,700 citations. 

Zhou won the Harding Bliss Prize, which consists of an engraved silver bowl and is awarded each year to the student "who has done most to further the intellectual life of the department."

Zhou has distinguished himself with groundbreaking artificial intelligence-driven innovations in medical imaging, particularly in the realm of PET-CT/MRI technologies - resesarch that is leading to significant advancements in reducing radiation exposure and enhancing diagnostic accuracy. His work includes more than 50 high-impact publications and has notably advanced nuclear medicine in clinical practices across oncology, cardiology, and neurology.

In addition to his research, Zhou has been an exemplary mentor, having guided a broad range of students from high school to postdoctoral levels. He has also played a crucial role in bridging academia and industry through his leadership within the MICCAI Society, organizing major educational and professional events.