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Weitao Yang

Philip Handler Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry
Box 90346, Durham, NC 27708-0346
5310 French Family Science Center, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Prof. Yang, the Philip Handler Professor of Chemistry, is developing methods for quantum mechanical calculations of large systems and carrying out quantum mechanical simulations of biological systems and nanostructures. His group has developed the linear scaling methods for electronic structure calculations and more recently the QM/MM methods for simulations of chemical reactions in enzymes.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Philip Handler Distinguished Professor of Chemistry · 2003 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Chemistry · 1999 - Present Chemistry, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Physics · 2024 - Present Physics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published April 28, 2017
Energy Initiative Awards Seven New Seed Grants
Published February 23, 2017
Light-Driven Reaction Converts Carbon Dioxide Into Fuel
Published May 18, 2015
Weitao Yang on Knowing How Electrons Behave

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Recent Publications


Evidence from computational infrared spectroscopy against vibrational detection of propionate by human olfactory receptor OR51E2.

Journal Article European biophysics journal : EBJ · March 2026 Despite its ubiquity in nature, some details of the animal olfactory system remain unclear. One such mystery is the mechanism by which olfactory receptors (ORs) recognize the olfactant molecules they bind to. Some evidence indicates that ORs can distinguis ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Computer Simulations of Enzymes

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of General Medical Sciences · 2025 - 2030

Simulating Chemical Reactions in Etching Process

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Lam Research Corporation · 2023 - 2026

Computer Simulations of Enzymes

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2000 - 2025

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Education


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 1986 Ph.D.
Peking University (China) · 1982 B.S.

External Links


Yang Research Group