EIU Faculty Senate

Dr. Hongshan He, Professor of Chemistry, earned his B.S. and M.S. from Lanzhou University and his Ph.D. from Sun Yat-sen University. Following a period in the pharmaceutical industry, he began his academic career at National Huaqiao University, where he rose to the rank of professor in 2004. He later held research positions at North Dakota State University and South Dakota State University before joining Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in 2013. At EIU, he was tenured in 2017 and promoted to full professor in 2022.

A prolific researcher, Dr. He focuses on the coordination chemistry of lanthanides for imaging, transition-metal photochemistry for photocatalysis, and materials for solar energy conversion. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed works and delivered more than 60 invited presentations. Since 2013, he has secured significant funding from the National Science Foundation, the ACS Petroleum Research Fund, and the Dreyfus Foundation to support student-led research. A six-time recipient of EIU’s Achievement and Contribution Awards, Dr. He has mentored 21 undergraduate and 15 graduate students, many of whom have pursued advanced degrees at prestigious institutions.

Dr. He is equally committed to pedagogical excellence, teaching courses ranging from General Chemistry to Advanced Laboratory. He consistently integrates student feedback and new technologies into his curriculum, earning five Redden Grants and the 2016 Michael R. Hoadley Excellence in the Use of Instructional Technology Award. As the current coordinator for the General Chemistry sequence, he has been instrumental in modernizing the department’s curriculum. Beyond the classroom, Dr. He is a supportive colleague and an advocate for wellness, frequently drawing on his own career to inspire students to pursue paths in STEM.