**Derong Cao**

Derong Cao, Ph.D., is a professor in organic chemistry in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China (since 2005). His research focuses on studying the synthesis and applications of organic functional compounds/materials, in particular in the syntheses of pillararenes, photovoltaic materials, and luminescent materials and devices. He received a master's degree from Lanzhou University under the supervision of Prof. Zhixing Su (1986) and obtained a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Mainz/Lanzhou University under the supervision of Prof. Herbert Meier and Prof. Yulin Li. His previous academic positions were at Lanzhou University as a teacher (1986-1994); at the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as a postdoctoral fellow (1997-1999); and at Guangzhou Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, as a professor (2000-2005). He has published more than 300 papers.
