Wenbin Lin

Lin Wenbin is a world-renowned molecular materials chemist and chemical biologist who retired early from the University of Chicago in late 2025 to join Westlake University in Hangzhou as a full-time Chair Professor and head of the molecular materials laboratory for sustainable development and human health. He was previously James Franck Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago and also a member of its department of radiation and cellular oncology — a rare distinction of excelling simultaneously in chemistry, biology, and oncology.

Lin is one of the founding pioneers of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) — a cutting-edge area of chemistry recognised with the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. MOFs are porous crystalline materials with applications in drug delivery, cancer treatment, gas storage, and catalysis. His work bridging materials chemistry with medicine has made him one of the most cited researchers in the field.

At Westlake University, Lin holds part-time positions with both the medical and engineering schools in addition to leading the science school's molecular materials laboratory. His move is part of Westlake's aggressive strategy to recruit world-class talent to establish it as a top global research university.