Gengnan Li

Gengnan Li is an Assistant Scientist at the Center for Nanoscale Materials (CNM) at Argonne National Laboratory. Her research focuses on understanding physical and chemical interactions at material surfaces and interfaces — particularly for applications in catalysis and electrochemical conversion — through combined experimental studies and computational modeling to reveal structure–property relationships.

At CNM, Li conducts research and supports users working on projects to advance nanoscale understanding of materials and interfacial phenomena. She received a 2025 Physical Sciences and Engineering directorate (PSE) Early Investigator Named Award to develop user-friendly interfaces, comprehensive training platforms and streamlined workflows for using near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) in studies of gas–liquid–solid interfaces.

Li earned a doctoral degree in materials science and technology from East China University of Science and Technology. Her recent publications span the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Communications Materials, ACS Catalysis, Journal of Catalysis and Surface Science Reports. Li also contributes to the professional community through the American Chemical Society, North American Catalysis Society and American Institute of Chemical Engineers, including technical program leadership and topical area co-organization.