Staff

Yao Lei, PhD, is a professor, doctoral supervisor and principle investigator in School of Design, SJTU. She serves as the director of the SJTU R&D Center for Aromatic Plants. She was named Shanghai Shuguang Scholar. After obtaining her master’s and doctorate degree in Japan, she started her work in SJTU since 1998, where she established the R&D Center for Aromatic Plants in 2004. The center conducted research in aromatic plant resources, essential oil chemistry (e.g., extraction, chemical analysis, functionalities and safety), and healing gardens. Dr Yao teaches courses such as Aromatic Plant-Derived Essential Oils and Aromatherapy and Principles and Practices for Building Healing Gardens. She assisted in the establishment of 16 planting bases for aromatic plants and the development of market-oriented end products for 37 enterprises. Dr Yao’s research productivity was evidenced by 101 peer-reviewed journal articles, 25 inventory patents and 17 essential oil-related commercial products. Further, Dr Yao won the Ministerial and Provincial-Level Scientific and Technological Progress Award third-class award (ranking second). She was honored a 2008 March 8th Red-banner Holder and 2015 Able Women Model of Shanghai and a 2019 Advanced Individual of the Central Committee of the Democratic League. Hitherto, 7 PhDs, 1 postdoctorate, 60 masters and 59 undergraduates have studied in the center and graduated with honors under the mentorship of Dr Yao. Dr Yao is currently a vice chairman of China Association of Fragrance, Flavor and Cosmetic Industries, China Commission of Cosmetic Science and Technology and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee. She is also a member of the 13^th CPPCC Shanghai Committee and the Standing Committee of the China Democratic League Shanghai Committee.