Yu joined APEL in 2022 after completing her Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of British Columbia supervised by Dr. Allan Bertram. Her doctoral research focused on ice-nucleating particles in the atmosphere, which play a pivotal role in cloud formation, precipitation, and broader climate.

Bringing her expertise in atmospheric chemistry to APEL, Yu is now responsible for conducting controlled human exposure studies on diesel exhaust and managing the lab's gas and particle monitoring systems. Additionally, she contributes to the design and optimization of exposure systems for emerging pollutants of raising concerns, including biomass combustion emissions and microplastics.