Assist. Prof. Dr. Nannan LI | Astronomy | Best Researcher Award
Assist. Prof. Dr. Nannan LI | Astronomy – Assistant Professor at Shenzhen Technology University, China
Dr. Nannan Li is a dynamic early-career researcher specializing in nanophotonics and optical communication. With a strong background in both theoretical physics and materials science, he has developed innovative techniques for manipulating light at the nanoscale. Currently a postdoctoral fellow at Shenzhen University, he has published in top-tier journals, collaborated with global experts, and made impactful contributions to structured light technologies. His dedication to academic excellence, research innovation, and mentorship makes him a leading candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
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Education:
Dr. Li completed his Ph.D. in Physics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he focused on photonics and semiconductor physics under Professor Jianfang Wang. His research was supported by a rigorous curriculum including instrumentation and thin film physics. Prior to this, he earned a BSc in Polymer Materials and a second BSc (Minor) in Mathematics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he built a strong interdisciplinary foundation. His education has equipped him with analytical and experimental expertise critical to advanced photonic research.
Research Experience:
Following his Ph.D., Dr. Li remained at CUHK for postdoctoral research before moving to the Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics at Shenzhen University in 2021. Working under the guidance of Professor Michael Somekh, he has contributed to multiple national science foundation projects and led independent research initiatives. His research experience includes optical field manipulation, nanostructure fabrication, and device-level integration, where he has demonstrated the ability to translate fundamental physics into functional optoelectronic devices.
Research Interests:
Dr. Li’s research focuses on the design and application of structured light, including vortex beams and orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, as well as light–matter interaction at the nanoscale. His work in optical chips, Tamm plasmon polaritons, and Bloch surface wave devices supports advances in all-optical computing and communication systems. He is particularly interested in integrating these technologies into high-speed, chip-based platforms for scalable quantum and classical communication.
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Li has received multiple prestigious awards that recognize his academic and research excellence. These include the Wiley Top Cited Article Award, the Guangdong Overseas Postdoctoral Talent Award, and the Shenzhen Peacock Plan (C-Level) for high-level talent. He also received the Best Teaching Assistant Award at CUHK and Best Poster Awards at various international conferences. His selection as a recipient of the C. N. Yang Scholarship further underscores his outstanding academic performance during his doctoral studies.
Selected Publications:
📘 Directional control of light with nanoantennas (2021, Advanced Optical Materials) – Widely cited study on manipulating light directionality using nanoantennas.
📗 On-chip sorting of orbital angular momentum beams using Bloch surface wave structures (2023, Photonics Research) – Influential paper on integrated OAM beam sorting; cited in recent chip-based optics research.
📕 Near-field manipulation of Tamm plasmon polaritons (2023, Optics Express) – Highlights precise control of surface plasmons; referenced in next-gen photonic circuit design.
📙 Infrared‐responsive colloidal silver nanorods for surface‐enhanced infrared absorption (2018, Advanced Optical Materials) – Cited in IR sensing and detection technologies.
📒 Gold nanobipyramids: an emerging and versatile type of plasmonic nanoparticles (2019, Accounts of Chemical Research) – Comprehensive and highly cited review paper.
📘 Substrate-modulated electromagnetic resonances in colloidal Cu₂O nanospheres (2020, Particle & Particle Systems Characterization) – Awarded Wiley Top Cited Article 2020–2021.
📗 Asymmetric light scattering on heterodimers made of Au nanorods (2021, Advanced Optical Materials) – Applied in anisotropic nano-optical systems.
Conclusion:
Dr. Nannan Li has distinguished himself as an innovative and productive researcher in the fields of photonics and nanotechnology. His ability to tackle fundamental challenges while delivering practical applications in integrated optics positions him as a future leader in the scientific community. His strong academic background, extensive publication record, successful project involvement, and recognition through multiple honors validate his candidacy for the Best Researcher Award. With growing international visibility and ongoing contributions to national research programs, Dr. Li exemplifies the excellence and promise this award seeks to recognize.