Yifan was born in Shanghai, China. He received his M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Zhengzhou University in 2024, under the joint supervision of Professor Ang Li (Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry) and Professor Peng Yang (Zhengzhou University). During his graduate studies, he focused on the total synthesis of ambiguines and accomplished the concise total synthesis of ambiguine P. In the summer of 2025, Yifan joined the Sarlah group at Rice University. Outside the lab, he enjoys musicals, opera, console gaming, coffee, and exploring new food.