Yichao completed an MSc with Distinction in Advanced Engineering Materials at The University of Manchester and was awarded a Bachelor Degree in Materials Forming and Control Engineering from the Hefei University of Technology (China).

Yichao has recently joined the Advanced Metallic System Centre for Doctoral Training and is completing a PhD at The University of Manchester which focuses on chemo-mechanical modelling of hydrogen diffusion and fracture in 7xxx series Al alloys, using the Fortran programming and phase-field modelling to gain an understanding of precipitation, alloying element diffusion and hydrogen diffusion in 7xxx series Al alloys.